Pubs of Ulster Support Tax Payer Alliance Campaign

26 February 2013

Following the launch of a campaign to stop a further increase in beer duty by the TaxPayers’ Alliance, Colin Neill, chief executive of Pubs of Ulster said:

“Pubs of Ulster fully supports the TaxPayers’ Alliance campaign to stop a further increase in beer duty.

 

“Since 2008 and the introduction of the beer duty escalator, which allows duty to increase by 2 per cent more than inflation every year, duty has risen by a staggering 42 per cent.  The UK now pays more alcohol duty per unit of alcohol than any country in the EU except Finland.  In real terms, the continued increase in beer duty is hitting customers directly in the pocket, with many being forced to pay more for their pint.

 

“From an industry point of view, the continued increase in taxation is also very damaging and is having a devastating effect on the local pub trade.  The continued rise in beer duty means that pubs are now in fact losing approximately 2 pence on a standard £3 pint of beer.  With many pubs struggling to get through these tough economic times, a further increase in duty could put the jobs of thousands of people employed within the industry at risk.

 

“We therefore call on the public, as well as publicans themselves, to get behind the campaign and put pressure on the government to stop another increase in beer duty.”