Rother Valley MP wants more done to help protect British pubs

I have been contacted by many constituents recently about protecting pubs, writes Sir Kevin Barron MP.
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Pubs are at the heart of the UK’s communities and play an important role in the national economy.

I am deeply concerned that pubs continue to be under severe threat and I believe that we must do what we can to support them.

Sir Kevin Barron MPSir Kevin Barron MP
Sir Kevin Barron MP

The pub sector supports 900,000 jobs, generates £23 billion in economic value and provides £13 billion in tax revenues.

In addition, I know that 30 million adults visit the pub every month.

In the Budget the Government announced that there would be one-third off business rates for all retail premises up to a rateable value of £51,000 in 2019-20 and 2020-21.

However, I am concerned that this represents only a temporary respite, rather than long-term support.

I believe that we need a proper root-and-branch review of business rates to support local pubs.

I am also in favour of making re-valuations annual to stop businesses facing unmanageable increases.

I agree with a national campaign that calls for the Government to carry out a proper review of the pubs code and the operation of the adjudicator.

I also believe that it would be sensible for the Government to look at the whole framework for alcohol duties.

Moving forward, I hope the Government will conduct a full review of pub closures in the UK and develop a pubs strategy to secure a sustainable future for the industry.

I believe we should also give communities more power to shape their town centres, including by strengthening powers to protect pubs.

I will continue to press the Government on this important issue at every opportunity as our societies cannot afford to keep on losing pubs at the rate they are.