Responding to the publication of the Liberal Democrats General Election manifesto, CAMRA Chairman Nik Antona said:
“It is encouraging to see commitments to overhauling the broken business rates system in England which is desperately needed to help save our pubs, as well as on strengthening powers to allow community assets like pubs to be protected and introducing a dedicated Minister for Hospitality and Tourism.
“Whilst the devil will be in the detail, the Liberal Democrats plans to replace the current business rates system with a new Commercial Landowner Levy based on land value rather than entire capital value could see more proportionate business taxes for the hospitality sector in many parts of the country and an end to the current system which disincentives investment in pubs.
“It is vital that the next Government radically reforms the business rates system to stop pubs overpaying by around £500 million each and every year – and to make sure online businesses pay their fair share compared to bricks and mortar businesses like much-loved community pubs.
“CAMRA looks forward to working with Lib Dem parliamentarians and those of all parties in the next Parliament to make sure that business rates and community ownership policies better support and protect the nation’s much-loved locals.”
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Notes to editors:
CAMRA is urging the public to contact their MP candidates in the run up to the General Election. Email your General Election candidates now with the Campaign’s e-lobby: https://action.camra.org.uk/page/151385/action/1
CAMRA’s General Election manifesto and our campaigning priorities for the next UK Government – including fairer tax, consumer rights, planning protections and better business rates for pubs – is now on our website. See our asks for the next UK Government here: https://www1.camra.org.uk/take-action/general-election-2024
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