Axe the Tax set for re-launch to raise "political heat"
13 November, 2009
BBPA also calls for duty to return to pre VAT cut level in New Year
A “new phase” of the Axe the Beer Tax – Save the Pub campaign will be launched next week to coincide with the Queen’s Speech.
The aim of the re-launch is to “raise the political heat” around the issues pubs currently face.
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) initiative was launched last November to pressurise the government to re-think increases in alcohol tax.
But with Labour so far ignoring the industry’s pleas, the campaign is being re-launched next Wednesday to step up the pressure.
Mark Hastings, the BBPA’s communications director, said: “As part of the campaign we will be encouraging people to lobby MPs and to raise the political heat around the issues of pubs and beer tax, so the government will be under no illusions about how passionately people feel about the sector and the issues.”
It is expected that the “Axe the Beer Tax” slogan will be dropped from the campaign, after new chief executive Brigid Simmonds admitted the message needed some “refinement”.
The BBPA has also written to Alistair Darling ahead of the Pre-Budget report on December 9, arguing the case for the industry.
This includes a plea to reduce beer duty to its previous level when the VAT rate returns to 17.5 per cent in the New Year - and a call for no further announcements on alcohol duty.
Writing in The Times earlier this week, Simmonds warned: "Government coffers are under severe constraint, but with VAT due to go back up on January 1, the 6p increase in beer prices could accelerate pub closures, job cuts and that loss of community cohesion, which in this recession, the country can ill-afford to lose.
"This is something the government must address in the Pre-Budget Report."
Meanwhile, the BBPA is set to unveil a new policy manifesto on November 26 that will set out what it wants from government in relation to the sector.
Readers' comments
Karl, I'm sure that you won't mind me paraphrasing you . "consumers won't get a penny of any suspension of the beer tie from any landlords'. I'm sure that you'll disagree because your support for the poor old consumer is legendary.
Ed, banned just shows the closed mind mentality that will eventually destroy the tied tenants case for reform. Why debate when you can chant? Ken NAson
Ed Davies - don't tell me we're all going to have same argument again! Publicans and consumers won't get a penny of any suspension of alcohol duty increaes from this or any other government. The brewers and pubcos will simply fill the gap with their own price increases. I'm not condoning tax rises by government but you really do need to see through the BBPA sham for what it is - simply pleadings for tax concessions for their members - not for you or your customers.
Or did it just seem like a good excuse to roll out pictures of the rather pretty Jennifer Ellison pulling a pint once again...?
Yet more spin and bluster from the pubcos friend in an effort to divert attention away from the questionable activities of the Tied model. Why not go the whole hog - put Mr Pinty up for election?
Old-Gov, for once, just shut up and listen. This is something that affects EVERY SINGLE PUBLICAN. No matter what you sell - tied beer, FOT food or spirits, crisps, everything, will have it's price go up. On a £3 pint 6.5p will be added, which most places will mean a 10p increase. Lets, for once, unite as an industry and do something that will benefit everyone, rather than make snide comments. Please?
Is re-launching a failed campaign wise? Would it not be better to launch a new campaign? Or maybe I'm just being silly...
Ms, Simmonds what about the high tied pricing that the pubcos charge their tenants, how about you doing something about that, or would that upset your pubco buddies?