Political opinion with Alison Griffiths MP: Last orders for pubs under Labour

It has never been more important to support our local pubs as they battle against increasing costs and red tape created by this government.

Predictions from the hospitality industry make grim reading. The British Beer and Pub Association warns that without drastic action we could see over 2,000 pubs close next year which is the equivalent to a loss of 12,000 jobs and six closures a day.

Pubs are not just places for drinking; they are a hub in the local community. They raise thousands of pounds for local charities, give performance space to local bands and provide a place to go for company.

They also give young people their first entry into the job market through bar work and other roles.

All of this will be lost if Labour continue to make running a pub prohibitively complicated and costly.

I met with Charlie, landlord of The Fox Inn at Felpham. The last two Budgets under Chancellor Rachel Reeves saw alcohol duty increase, along with the amount of money that employers must pay in national insurance.

Last month’s Budget saw a reform of business rates announced that the Chancellor said would benefit pubs like Charlie’s, but the opposite is true. He and thousands of other pub operators will now be paying significantly more in business rates than before.

These additional costs will be passed onto customers making the cost of a drink even more expensive. If this continues, more people will no longer be able to afford to go to the pub.

Businesses such as Gusto Wines in Ford are also impacted by Labour’s high tax burden on pubs and restaurants as 95% of their customers are in this sector.

Labour is killing off our British boozers. As we head towards Christmas, please support your local pub. They need our backing like never before.

Contact me at: [email protected] or write to: Alison Griffiths MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.