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VAT increase could cause more pubs to disappear warns MP

A North East conservative MEP has challenged Chancellor Alistair Darling to use Wednesday’s Pre-Budget report to save the region’s pubs.

Martin Callanan has launched the ‘Get Behind Your Bar’ campaign and is calling on Alistair Darling to reverse recent increases in beer duty.

Six pubs close every day in the UK and, with VAT expected to rise from 15% to 17.5% once more, Mr. Callanan feels now is the time to support North East pubs.

He said: “What we know is that pubs all over the North East are struggling to make ends meet.

“They are closing at an alarming rate and if we don’t do something now another cornerstone of our communities will disappear.”

The conservative MEP has said the chancellor can help by offsetting the rise VAT with a reduction in duty.

Martin Callanan also believes that by tackling cheap beer sales in supermarkets and high strength alcoholic drinks, the government can help pubs run by responsible landlords for responsible people.

He added: “In the North East, pubs and clubs will be fearing the worst in the Pre-Budget Report.

“I urge the chancellor not to penalise them further, and instead grasp this opportunity or risk losing yet more pubs and fueling binge drinking.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .