Justice for Licensees calls for delay on beer tax increases

Campaign group Justice for Licensees (JFL) is calling on the Government to delay a planned hike in VAT and alcohol duty next year.

The organisation is formally writing to chancellor Alistair Darling and prime minister Gordon Brown urging them to reconsider implementing a return to 17.5% VAT on 1 January and an increase in alcohol duty next March.

JFL is urging its 370,000 members to contact their local MPs to urge the Government to delay implementing increases at least until the economic situation improves.
 
Inez Ward, founder of JFL, said: “We shall highlight the fact that closed pubs increases the burden on government by loss of revenue through taxation and increases in unemployment figures and those having to claim benefits.”

JFL also wrote to the major Pubcos earlier this month, including Punch Taverns, Admiral Taverns, Enterprise Inns, Marstons and Scottish and Newcastle Pub Enterprises, asking for a guarantee to pass on any decreases in duty to their tenants.

“To date Punch Taverns is the only recipient to commit to passing on any decreases in duty to its tenants. I am very disappointed other companies have not responded – there is no justification for Pubcos to swallow up any decreases,” Ward said.

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By Emma White

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