In just under a month, the Chancellor will deliver the next Budget. It is important that we make our views known as there have been lots of rumours about pubs in the press over the last week – some very positive, like the scrapping of curfew and the ‘substantial meal’ requirement, and some very worrying, like reopening pubs with an alcohol ban.
We need to cut through the media rumours and scaremongering and get a clear message to the Chancellor.
This is the last chance to get financial support to see publicans through to reopening, and to put some measures in place to make sure that they can thrive again when they do.
In this Budget, our pubs, clubs, brewers and cider makers need:
A lower rate of duty on draught beer, to encourage people back into pubs when they reopen
An extension to the VAT cut, and for it to apply to alcohol sales
Cancellation of business rates for another year
Furlough extended until every pub is properly open again
This means that once again, it is vital that we all write to our MPs. You have probably done this more in the last year than ever before, and we need to keep going - our voices can make a difference if we are loud enough.
Please email your MP and ask them to make a representation to the Treasury, outlining support measures that should be announced in the Budget, and asking for common sense on the terms on which pubs reopen.
You do not have to be a CAMRA member to use this link and you can alter the draft email wording anyway you like. Just input a few details and it will automatically select your MP.
