CAMRA has called for prime minister Andy Burnham’s 20 per cent business rates cut in England to be matched in Northern Ireland (NI), Wales and Scotland.
CAMRA chief executive Tom Stainer said: “It is refreshing to see a prime minister who gets how important pubs are to local communities and who wants to support them.
“But while pubs in England will get a 20 per cent discount on business rates bills on top of the existing 15 per cent already announced, NI businesses feel left behind and are crying out for similar help so they can survive and thrive.
“Pubgoers also desperately want to see the communities minister drag alcohol licensing laws into the 21st century by ditching the ‘surrender principle’ so new pubs, bars, micropubs and brewery taprooms can open and provide a decent choice of venues including small and specialist pubs that are thriving in Great Britain.”
He also called on the first minister and Scottish government to match the new prime minister’s pro-pub stance.
CAMRA Wales director Chris Charters (above) said: “Pubgoers are crying out for the first minister and Welsh government to match the new prime minister’s pro-pub stance and to protect and promote our pubs as vital community hubs.
“The first minister should commit today to matching the announcement made for pubs in England and give our locals an extra 20 per cent discount on their business rates bills too.
“Our business rates system is grossly unfair to pubs and social clubs, bricks and mortar businesses that are also vital social institutions for their communities. We desperately need proper reform of the system, so pubs aren’t forced to pay eye-watering business rates bills. A truly fair business rates system would permanently lower bills for pubs and end the need for these temporary reliefs once and for all.”
