16/07/2009 - Campaign on pub draught beer tax
A campaign group has called for the Government to "promote the removal" of EU laws on the tax on draught beer sold in pubs.
The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) said that the high duty on draught beer in pubs compared with the supermarkets was directly associated with pub closures. Camra urged the Government to take action over the tax rates, which are different for canned and bottled varieties of beer.
Camra chief executive Mike Benner said: "A lower rate of duty on draught beer sold in pubs would represent a golden opportunity for the Government to address the disparity between supermarket and pub prices - a problem directly associated with pub closures.
"This proposal would encourage a shift in alcohol consumption back to the regulated environment offered by well-run community pubs. It would also stem the loss of community pubs and thereby reverse the decline of community life."
John Grogan, chairman of the Parliamentary Beer Group, said he was tabling an Early Day Motion on the issue at Westminster. Camra said more than six UK pubs a day are closing down - and a lower domestic rate of tax on draught beer would help ease the sector's difficulties.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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