MPs should unite to save the pint (From York Press)

MPs should unite to save the pint

10:16am Tuesday 30th October 2012 in Letters By Reader's letter

CAN I urge York’s MP’s, Hugh Bayley and Julian Sturdy, to put aside partisan political allegiances to represent residents, pubs and breweries within York Central and York Outer constituencies at a landmark debate in Parliament on Thursday on scrapping the beer duty escalator.

The debate is taking place due to more than 100,000 UK residents signing a petition organised by CAMRA.

Tax adds a whopping £1 to the cost of a pint, which has reduced demand and crippled the trade – 6,000 pubs have closed in the past four years.

Politicians hide behind the politically expedient argument that higher duty discourages alcohol abuse, so beer duty is stealthily increased automatically at every Budget without the Chancellor having to do a thing. Over the past three months alone, 117 million fewer pints have been sold. So increasing duty now results in reduced tax revenues to the Exchequer.

Authoritative research suggests that scrapping the escalator and freezing beer duty at the next budget would save 5,000 UK jobs, which in this economic climate would be hugely significant.

So come on, Hugh and Julian – York’s drinks industry needs your support now more than ever.

Nick Love, Deangate, York.