Safeguarding pubs, brewers and one million jobs

That this House notes the significant economic and social contribution of the UK beer and pub sector, which supports over one million jobs from grain to glass and generates £34 billion in GVA; further notes that increased costs announced at the last Budget, combined with cumulative fiscal and regulatory pressures, have contributed to one fifth of Britain’s pubs closing permanently; expresses concern that one third of hospitality businesses report struggling to break even and another third are making a loss, despite strong trade, due to rising employment costs, the halving of business rates relief and some of the highest beer duty levels in Europe; recognises that the end of business rates relief and the forthcoming revaluation of commercial properties are expected to increase rates bills by over 50 per cent, which could force more than 2,000 pubs to close next year with the loss of over 12,000 jobs; also notes the additional pressures created by Extended Producer Responsibility packaging reforms, which represent the equivalent of a 12 per cent rise in beer duty, acknowledges the wider social value of pubs, with Pub is the Hub estimating that every £1 spent in a pub generates £8 of wider community benefit; and calls on the Government to introduce meaningful business rates reform, and to immediately cut VAT from 20 per cent to 15 per cent for hospitality to safeguard pubs, protect jobs and keep the cost of a pint affordable.