COMMENT: Responding to the news that the Government is considering a cut to VAT, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association Emma McClarkin said:
“A VAT cut for hospitality is something we have been championing for a long time to relieve the immense pressures our industry is facing on rising costs. As one of the most highly taxed and regulated sectors in the UK, more needs to be done to create a fair and sustainable tax regime for our pubs and brewers and incentivise investment.
“The VAT increase to 20% in April added further burden to businesses that were already struggling to make ends meet with only 1 in 3 hospitality businesses currently making a profit, and almost half operating reduced hours. A reduction would be extremely welcome, and we hope the Government will seriously consider introducing it sooner rather than later.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
About the British Beer & Pub Association
The BBPA represents UK companies which between them brew over 90% of the beer sold in the UK and own 20,000 pubs. Our members include international companies, national and local brewers and pub businesses operating managed and tenanted pubs in cities, towns and villages across the country.
These businesses are at the heart of communities and local economies and include family businesses who have been brewing beer and running pubs for hundreds of years alongside emerging brewers and pub operators.
- The UK’s beer and pub industry supports close to 940,000 jobs
- The industry adds £26.2billion to the UK’s economy each year
Press release from BBPA
For more information or to arrange an interview contact Jessie Powell at jpowell@beerandpub.com / 020 7627 9199