Local MP Norman Baker has slammed Labour and the Tories for letting local pubs go to the wall by voting against proposals to scrap a punitive tax on alcohol which is harming the pub trade in areas such as Lewes. Along with fellow Lib Dems, local MP Norman Baker voted in favour of scrapping the alcohol tax escalator, which sees alcohol duty go up 2% above inflation every year.
But in a vote this week, 311 MPs voted against the move, with only 62 - including 49 Lib Dems - voting in favour of scrapping the duty. This is despite the fact that the pub industry is struggling desperately to fight off the recession. In March, Norman Baker released figures showing that there has been a 6.4% reduction in the number of pubs within the Lewes constituency since 2005. Nationwide, around 2,000 pubs have closed in the past year, while beer sales dropped by 8.2% in the first quarter of 2009.
Norman Baker is a member of the All-Party Save the Pub Group, set up by fellow Lib Dem MP Greg Mulholland, and has also signed a motion supporting the Campaign for Real Ale's "Axe the Beer Tax, Save the Pub Campaign", calling on the government to do more to protect British pubs.
Norman Baker commented:
"By voting against this proposal, Labour and the Tories have clearly shown that they are simply not interested in securing a future for British pubs. People are finding it increasingly expensive to drink in pubs, and consequently many are struggling, or have already closed.
"Many pubs in areas such as the Lewes constituency are a valuable asset to the communities they serve, but they are being hammered by the recession. Scrapping this tax would have gone a long way towards protecting pubs and ensuring that they are able to serve their communities.
"It is essential that pubs are offered as much assistance as possible in these economically difficult times. The Lib Dems will continue the fight to ensure that much-loved pubs in areas such as Lewes survive."
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Norman Baker,
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East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
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Fax: (01273) 480287.
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