Plea to save British pubs

Paul Nuttall: "It cannot be right that supermarkets pay 1.5p in tax on a pint of beer yet pubs pay 15p"

Figures showing that Britain has lost 10,000 pubs in a decade have been greeted with dismay by local MEP Paul Nuttall.

"And sadly more will close especially if tax and costs keep rising," he warned today (24 February).

"In the North West alone, where nearly 20,000 jobs depend on the region's 14 breweries and 1049 pubs, four a week are closing. And this at a time when jobs are scarce and people are struggling to get by.

"It cannot be right that supermarkets pay 1.5p in tax on a pint of beer yet pubs pay 15p," added Mr Nuttall, UKIP deputy leader.

"The pub trade has always been a vital component in community life but it has been steadily eroded over the last ten years and although the number closing each week has slowed down it is a trend that is still continuing.

"UKIP has fought long and hard with its 'Save the Pub' campaign and it is a fight we are continuing to wage. Pubs are being treated unfairly by the financial levies imposed on it and this situation needs to be addressed urgently.

"The government should be helping ease their financial burden and guaranteeing a level playing field so that supermarkets do not have an unfair advantage with cut price booze prices.

"Such cheap deals can lead to people getting drunk before they even go out on the town where then sadly common sense and decency flies out the window and violence flares.

"Pubs were badly hit with the smoking ban and those that want to have properly ventilated rooms set aside for smokers should be able to do so. That one move alone could help some pubs from disappearing for ever," he added.