THE MP for Coventry North West has pledged her support for the Long Live the Local campaign to help pubs in her constituency get back on their feet when they reopen after lockdown.
Taiwo Owatemi joins over 500,000 people who have signed the petition so far, including 923 in Coventry North West alone.
She is calling on the Government to cut beer tax at the Budget.
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on brewers and pubs throughout the UK.
In 2020 beer sales in pubs fell by 56 per cent, which amounts to £7.8bn in lost sales. The sector needs an immediate boost and the fact that seven in ten alcoholic drinks served in pubs are beer underlines how directly a cut in beer duty can help pubs.
Brewing and pubs in Coventry North West supports 785 jobs and contributes £22.9m to the local economy.
With £1 in every £3 pounds spent in UK pubs going to the taxman, British drinkers pay more in beer duty each year than those in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Ireland combined.
Ms Owatemi said: “Pubs are at the heart of our community across Coventry North West.
“But with our locals bearing a disproportionate burden as a result of the pandemic and so many at risk of closure, the Government should consider a cut to beer tax before it’s too late.
“I’m supporting the Long Live the Local campaign and calling on the Chancellor to cut beer tax at this year’s Budget to support pubs in our local communities.”
David Cunningham, Programme Director, Long Live The Local said: “Beer duty has increased by 60 per cent over the last 17 years and now the UK has one of the highest rates of tax in Europe.
“When over two thirds of all alcoholic drinks purchased in the pub are beers, a cut in beer tax would go a long way to protecting pubs across Coventry North West that have suffered so much in the last year.
“We are very grateful to Taiwo Owatemi for her support for the Long Live the Local campaign, and hope that the Government listens to MPs across Parliament and the thousands of people across the country who are calling for a cut in beer tax to protect our pubs.”
To join Ms Owatemi and back the Long Live the Local campaign visit www.longlivethelocal.pub
