Local MP John Lamont has joined with representatives of the UK's beer drinkers, pub goers, brewers and publicans to urge the Chancellor to keep pubs afloat in the Autumn Budget.
Lamont was one of over 50 MPs to add their voice to CAMRA’s ‘Keep Pubs Afloat’ campaign, calling on the Chancellor to give serious consideration to introducing a freeze in beer duty for the rest of this Parliament.
Taxes now make up a third of the cost of a pint, and UK beer duty is among the highest in Europe. Recent research carried out by YouGov for CAMRA found that the majority of people thought beer duty is too high at 54p per pint.
Commenting, John Lamont MP said: "Pubs are a force for good in Berwickshire, Roxburgh & Selkirk and across the UK. They are at the heart of our rural communities and good for the local economy. However, many are struggling under the weight of a growing tax burden and because of competition from cheaper supermarket alcohol.
"In Berwickshire, Roxburgh & Selkirk, we have 2 breweries and 114 pubs, supporting 782 jobs. These establishments need all the help they can get, which is why I’m asking the Chancellor to do whatever he can to support them in the Autumn budget.”