Closure of another 44 pubs across the North West

Paul Nuttall: "Pubs are at the hub of our culture and communities and they are being driven into oblivion"

"After the closure of another 44 pubs across the North West in the past six months, the case for scrapping the 2% plus inflation beer tax escalator is stronger than ever"
says Paul Nuttall, UKIP North West MEP.

"The claims by Sajid Javed from the Treasury, that scrapping the duty will cost the government £35 million in revenue next year does not take into the consideration the revenue from closed pubs. Let’s not forget that the pub industry is a big employer giving work to not only those behind the bar, but kitchen and entertainment staff too.

"British pub-goers are already paying through the nose for an honest pint after seeing their beer tax rise by 42% in the past four years. During this period, 170 pubs in Merseyside and North Cheshire have been lost.

"I fear that if the beer tax escalator is allowed to continue, it will merely push more drinkers away from pubs who will instead choose to drink at home, exposing children to the effects of alcohol."