"Change beer tax rules to save pubs" (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

"Change beer tax rules to save pubs"

3:07pm Monday 20th July 2009 in

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THE St Albans-based Campaign for Real Ale has launched a campaign to change EU rules to allow a lower rate of duty on draught beer sold in pubs.

The consumer group, concerned at the future of British pubs, closing at the rate of more than six a day, says they are fatally undercut by supermarkets.

It is writing to all MPs and has persuaded John Grogan, chairman of the Parliamentary Beer Group, to table a parliamentary motion calling on the Government to seek a change to European Union rules.

Chief executive Mike Benner said: “A lower rate of duty on draught beer sold in pubs would represent a golden opportunity for the Government to address the disparity between supermarket and pub prices, a problem directly associated with pub closures.

“This would encourage a shift in alcohol consumption back to the regulated environment offered by well-run community pubs.”