POLICY ON PUBLIC HOUSES

Early day motion 42, tabled 25 May 2010 by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 121 members.

That this House recognises the vital importance of British pubs to the social and economic life of local communities and urges the Government, beer and pub industry and others to work together to do all they can to protect and promote them; notes that pubs have been hit hard by beer duty increases of more than 26 per cent. in the last two years, with dozens of pubs closing every week; calls on the Government to support pubs by reforming the way beer is taxed to reflect its place as the national drink and as a lower strength drink, which is the bedrock of community pubs; and further calls on the Government to ensure that should there be any value added tax rise in the forthcoming budget it is offset by a parallel reduction in duty as a targeted measure to help community pubs.

Signatures by party: Labour 72, Conservative 23, Liberal Democrat 23, Plaid Cymru 2, Independent 1.