Tories launch campaign to support struggling pub industry

The Conservative Party has launched a campaign calling on the Government to support the struggling pub industry.

With pubs facing closure at a rate nearly six a day, combined with steep tax increases from the Government, thousands of pubs face the threat of closure, warned Shadow Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt.

"We all have our favourite local pub but up and down the country people have been losing theirs," he said. "Not only are they a critical part of our heritage but they are often hubs for local communities helping social groups, sports clubs and often even the village shop."

Hunt claimed that the Government's "massive tax hikes and heavy handed regulation" will only make the situation worse.

"This has to stop," he said. "We should be proud of our brewers and proud of our pub industry and do what we can to support it, which is why today we are launching this campaign."

The Tory announcement followed similar calls from Liberal Democrat MPs Greg Mulholland and Bob Russell, who have both tabled Early Day Motions demanding more support for the pub industry.

Meanwhile, the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group today revealed that more than 50 MPs have already confirmed attendance at a meeting that will see five senior ministers probed about what they are going to do to support struggling pubs.

Ministers from five Government departments will answer questions from industry leaders at the meeting at the House of Commons on 4 March.

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By Daniel Thomas

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