Petition launched to secure urgent support for pubs and breweries in upcoming Spring Statement

Ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, expected on 23^rd March, the Long Live the Local campaign has launched a petition, calling on Rishi Sunak to continue support for pubs and breweries.

The campaign, backed by the British Beer and Pub Association, is asking the government to extend policies that helped support the hospitality sector since the start of the pandemic. These measures include extending the lower level of VAT for food and drink sold in pubs, reducing business rates, and reducing Beer Duty as part of changes to alcohol duty to support beer as a lower-ABV and British-made product.

The hospitality sector has been one of the worst affected by the Covid-19, with nearly 2000 UK pubs having sadly called time for good because of the pandemic. 

The Long Live the Local campaign argues that removing financial support for pubs jeopardises their recovery, and instead calls for the government to allow them to thrive in the coming years to help create more connected and vibrant communities, as well as job opportunities in pubs and breweries up and down the country.

To support the campaign, Long Live the Local have also created a short video to highlight the role pubs play in our communities, particularly at a time when the last two years have reminded all of us what is missed when social lives are restricted: for many, the pub is at the heart of that.

William Robinson, joint managing director of Stockport’s Robinsons Brewery urges everyone to support the campaign:

“Pubs are a unique and important asset in our communities across the country. I’d encourage everyone to support the Long Live the Local campaign and protect the future of the sector and the part they play in bringing us together.

“Covid hit our industry hard and we, like many in the hospitality sector, are still in recovery.

“Writing a letter to your local MP or signing the petition in support of the campaign will ensure pubs are not forgotten and hopefully the Chancellor will consider supporting them to support local communities in his Spring Statement next week.”

Greater Manchester’s Night Time Economy lead, Sacha Lord, is also among those calling for action to protect the sector in the upcoming Spring Statement to support hospitality businesses such as pubs; he said:

“I applaud the businesses and operators across the sector who are already trying to mitigate the impacts of the cost of living crisis. I have heard of many who are currently absorbing costs to avoid increasing prices for consumers, but this is not sustainable in the long term.

“Operators will take at least three years to recover from this pandemic and we need to move towards a position where businesses are afforded a period of stability in order to aid recovery and growth.

“The Chancellor’s spring statement is an opportunity to calm nerves in the sector and provide this confidence.”

So far, over 80,000 people have lent their support to the campaign – you can add your name to Long Live the Local’s petition via their website or write directly to you MP to encourage them to back further support for Britain’s pubs and breweries.