CAMRA Northern Ireland responds to the Budget announcement

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Commenting on the UK Government’s Budget yesterday, Chair of CAMRA NI Ruth Sloan said:

“The Campaign for Real Ale welcomes the freeze in beer duty – which is a UK-wide tax – but we want to make sure brewers and pub companies pass any savings on to pub-goers.

“In the upcoming review of alcohol taxation we will be arguing for a cut in beer duty for beer served on tap, which would be the best way to support community pubs and encourage drinking in a responsible, supervised setting rather than consuming cheap booze from supermarkets at home.

“Yesterday’s Budget also sees cuts and reliefs to the burden of Business Rates for pubs in England. CAMRA is calling on the Executive and Finance Minister to introduce similar help for community pubs here, to help them cope not only with the short-term impacts of coronavirus, but also with the year-round effect that business rates have on the ability of our locals to stay open and thrive. We’d also like to see fundamental changes to the business rates system to make sure it is fairer to pubs.

“Cutting duty for draught beer in pubs and changing the business rates system is vital if we are to save community pubs across Northern Ireland from closure.”