A MUSLIM MP has backed calls for the Chancellor to cut beer duty and business rates for pubs in his March budget.
Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South East, does not drink alcohol, but has joined groups like the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) in demanding the cuts.
Beer duty was frozen in the 2016 budget, and cut in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Campaign groups hope that Philip Hammond will introduce a further 1p cut on March 7, in his first Spring Budget.
Colin Valentine, CAMRA’s National Chairman, said: “It is clear that previous cuts to beer duty have benefitted beer drinkers and supported significant growth in the brewing industry.
“However, we as a nation are still paying a notable amount – especially in comparison to our European neighbours.”
Beer drinkers in the UK have to pay among the highest beer duty in Europe at 52p per pint, far more than countries such as Germany and Spain which pay under 5p per pint.
The cut would aim to aid British pubs, which are closing at a rate of 21 per week, as more people are now buying their alcohol from supermarkets and off-licences.
Ms Qureshi said: “The government needs to take measures that will bring customers back to the warm embrace of a good pub, and away from buying cheap booze from corner shops.
“Pubs not only provide a safe and supervised space for drinkers, but they also serve as hubs of the community and places where people can unwind after a hard day’s work.”
Despite facing these problems, the beer, brewing, and pubs sector now supports nearly 900,000 jobs in the UK and contributes £23.6bn to the economy every year.
Ms Qureshi added: “We are calling on the government to take action to safeguard this vital industry.”
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