DRINKERS and smokers face an onslaught from the Budget’s “sin tax” to boost the coffers.
But pub bosses fear the move – which could see the price of beer, cider and spirits rise – would be a blow to hard-pressed drinkers.
4
Smokers and drinkers face onslaught of budget ‘sin tax’ to boost the coffersCredit: Alamy
4
Health Secretary Wes Streeting — who has previously insisted he is not the ‘fun police’ — has called for a national debate on a ban on outdoor smokingCredit: Simon Jones
The new threat comes after Health Secretary Wes Streeting — who previously insisted he is not the “fun police” — called for a national debate on outdoor smoking bans.
Earlier this week, Health Secretary Andrew Gwynne caused a stir when he launched a review of licensing laws to reduce working hours.
The idea was quickly scrapped.
Concerned industry insiders yesterday pointed to talk of a minimum unit price, duty increases, a smoking ban, packaging costs and a lack of a positive vision for the sector as the death knell for pubs.
They fear any increase in duty to plug the £22bn budget black hole will cause carnage, particularly in the lucrative Christmas season.
One big wig warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves that it “could crush a sector that is already shelling out huge costs and struggling to survive”.
A five per cent increase in beer duty would raise the price of a pint by 2.45p.
If struggling taxmen take the burden, their profit per pint falls from 12p to 9.55p.
Currently, 35 percent of catering businesses are not making a profit, and around 500 pubs closed for good last year alone.
Meanwhile, the pub and brewery sector contributes £26.2bn to the UK economy and also generates £15.1bn in tax.
Starmer banned due to new smoking regulations
Emma McClarkin, head of the British Beer and Pub Association, said any plan to hurt pubs further would be a “bitter blow”.
She said: “Following the Chancellor’s campaign promise of a five-point plan for pubs, it is impossible to see how this will be delivered if the Government increases the pub price.
“The cost of doing business has risen in recent years and, with potentially new criminal charges, this tax increase is the last thing pubs and beer drinkers need.”
On the other hand, the BBPA estimates that a five percent reduction in beer duty would create an additional 12,000 jobs.
Ms McClarkin also wants Ms Reeves to keep 75 per cent of business rates relief and said: “Anything less will be a total betrayal of the great British pub that this government has promised to protect and the million jobs that depend on them.”
Brian Perkins, chief executive of Budweiser Brewing Group UK, said: “Instead of increasing beer duty, the new government should support our struggling brewing and hospitality sectors by reducing beer duty.
We definitely want to see the gradual abolition of smoking in our country, we committed to that in our manifesto
Wes Streeting
“The average British pint is already taxed twelve times more than on the Continent.”
Mark Kent, of the Scotch Whiskey Association, said: “A further increase in duty would be a hammer blow.”
In the run-up to the election, Ms Reeves championed local pubs.
She said: “The British people love our locals. Let’s support our landlords to keep our pubs open. We want to save the British pub because I know how important an institution they are in so many communities.”
In the March Budget, then Tory chancellor Jeremy Hunt said alcohol duty – due to rise by three per cent in August – would remain frozen until February 2025.
But duty on tobacco rose by £2 per 100 cigarettes in a one-off increase, ensuring cheaper cigarettes.
There is already furor over the Labor nanny’s intention to ban smoking in pubs.
4
Pub bosses fear the changes could be a blow to already beleaguered drinkersCredit: Alamy
Mr Streeting told Sky News yesterday: “We definitely want to see the phasing out of smoking in our country, we have committed to that in our manifesto. I am thinking and ready for a national debate on this issue.
We are getting sicker and sicker and this is paying a high price in our economy, our public finances and our health.
Speaking about the increase in booze and gay duty, a Whitehall source told The Sun: “The budget hasn’t been decided yet, there’s a long way to go before the package is finalised.”
One Finance Ministry source tried to downplay the move, saying: “Sounds like a bunch of classic pre-budget speculation to me.”
And a spokesman for the Ministry of Finance added: “We do not comment on speculation about tax changes outside of fiscal events.”
4
Wicked whispers at the Labor conference
Hard on the NHS
WES Streeting has defended his recent criticism of the NHS, insisting that only urgent reform can save the struggling service.
The Health Secretary has made it clear he will not be swayed by critics, after anonymous NHS insiders told the BBC there was “growing unease” about the government’s messaging.
He told the Labor Party conference yesterday that not acknowledging the problems in the NHS would result in “killing with kindness”.
Mr Streeting said: “I know the doctor’s diagnosis is sometimes hard to hear.
“But if you don’t have the correct diagnosis, you won’t give the correct prescription.
“And when you put protecting his reputation before protecting patients, you’re not helping the NHS, you’re killing it with your kindness.
“I will not step down. The NHS is broken but not defeated and together we will turn it around.”
His comments come after senior health service figures expressed unease at Labour’s tough talk.
One hospital boss told the BBC that harsh rhetoric can scare patients and demoralize staff. He added: “Hope is important.”
In recent weeks, the government has claimed cancer is a “death sentence” because of NHS failings, while maternity services have “embarrassed” Britain.
Author: Martina Bet
Fringe Cring
EVENTS at a late-night conference took a chilling turn when Anas Sarwar and Emily Thornberry hit the dance floor.
The Scottish Labor leader showed off his best moves as he DJed on the TikTok night before the Islington South MP joined in the impromptu dance.
Author: Martina Bet
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education