Responding to the publication of the Alliance Party’s General Election manifesto, CAMRA Chief Executive Tom Stainer said:
“CAMRA is pleased to see the Alliance Party’s manifesto supporting plans to reduce the rate of VAT for hospitality and tourism businesses. This is much-needed to help and safeguard local pubs as a vital part of our social fabric which bring communities together, as well as assisting the great local and independent breweries and cider producers which showcase the best of local beer and cider.
“Cutting VAT, including on beer and cider served in pubs and social clubs in recognition of their community value, is undoubtedly the right thing to do. With many pubs and breweries operating with extremely slim profit margins as a result of rising prices, costs and energy bills, cutting VAT would ease financial burdens to help the beer and pubs sector survive and thrive, and stem the rate of business closures which deprives communities of their local.
“CAMRA NI looks forward to working with Alliance representatives in Parliament and at Stormont to stand up for consumers and to continue to protect and promote NI’s great local pubs, independent breweries and cider producers.”
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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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