Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, has welcomed a post-Brexit tax cut for pubs and bars across the country.
Wider reforms to taxation, made possible following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, means drinks will be taxed according to strength. As a result of these changes, tax paid on a pint will reduce by up to 11p compared to their supermarket equivalents.
The Brexit Pubs Guarantee - announced in the Chancellor’s Spring Budget - secures the pledge that pubs will always pay less alcohol duty than supermarkets going forwards.
These changes have automatically lowered the duty in shops and supermarkets on many of the nation’s favourites including certain bottles of pale ale, pre-mixed gin and tonic, hard seltzer, Irish cream, coffee liquor and English sparkling wine, among others.
Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, said “We’re lucky to have so many excellent local pubs and restaurants which have struggled through the Covid-19 pandemic and with rising energy prices last year, but which remain supportive and welcoming places for our community.
“I’m pleased to see the Government expand Draught Relief, helping pubs to compete on a level playing field with supermarkets so they can continue to thrive at the heart of our community.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said “I want to support the drinks and hospitality industries that are helping to grow the economy, and the consumers who enjoy the end result.
“Not only will today’s changes mean that that the price of your pint in the pub is protected, but it will also benefit thousands of businesses across the country.
“We have taken advantage of Brexit to simplify the duty system, to reduce the price of a pint, and to back British pubs.”
Barry Watts, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the Society of Independent Brewers said “These are the most significant changes to the alcohol duty system for generations which will have far reaching implications for what we order in the pub and what appears on the shop shelves.
“This will hopefully over time encourage more people to support their pub which is at the heart of our local communities.”
