The mighty campaign to see VAT on food and drink reduced in pubs from 20% to 5% drives forward.
Buy a pint and a pie in a pub and pay an extra 20% - compared to purchasing the same in a supermarket. No equality there!
So the argument is simple; reduce VAT in pubs, create more sales, more employment, and therefore more income to the treasury. All of this whilst removing the tax inequality twixt pubs and supermarkets.
September 24th will see thousands of pubs reduce their prices by 7.5% (which has the same impact if VAT was reduced to 5%).
Tim Martin Chairman of JD Wetherspoon said that his 900 pubs will participate and they intend to make September 24th the busiest day of the year. Well done to him, say I!
Many other pub companies and individual operators will also support the day, so get down your pub on the 24th!
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of www.inn-dispensable.com Personal Licence Courses
Showing posts with label campaign. Show all posts
Showing posts with label campaign. Show all posts
Wednesday, 3 September 2014
Friday, 31 January 2014
Sign Up To Scrap the Duty Escalator
Ahead of the forthcoming Budget the battle has been joined by a new campaign to see the end of the hated Alcohol Duty Escalator!
The Chancellor last year decided not to implement the escalator on beer, and what do you know, as a result, the latest figures show that beer sales have grown - showing consecutive growth in two quarters for the first time in ten years. This in turn has raised more revenue for HMG, protected jobs and seen new investment in the sector. And now Wines and Spirits please!
Do you know that some 79% of the cost of a bottle of spirits and some 60% of the cost of a bottle of wine goes directly to HMG in one tax or another! The alcohol industry in general employs some 2 million people, is a glowing example of excellence, helps tourism, raises billions in tax and at pub level is at the centre of community life. So any action to hold prices down must surely be progressive?
Now there is a new campaign; "CALL TIME ON DUTY" and you can see all of the details on their website: www.calltimeonduty.co.uk
You can also contribute to the campaign by sending the following letter to your MP (courtesy of the campaign). The more they receive the better! So if you want to see the price of your pint, glass of claret and glass of gin not grow once again by 2% above inflation, get an envelope, print off the script below, sign it and down to the post office you go (or maybe email it to your local MP?)
Dear xxxx
I am writing as a constituent to ask you to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on my behalf. I would be grateful if you could urge him to call time on his alcohol super tax (the Alcohol Duty Escalator) in the 2014 Budget.
I am supporting the campaign because I cannot believe how unfair the current alcohol tax system is. I find it incredible that if I buy an average priced bottle of spirits, more than three-quarters (79%) of it goes to the Chancellor in tax. The tax on a bottle of wine, nearly 60% of the cost of an average priced bottle, is also ridiculously high, especially if you compare it with France where I would pay 20% or Spain where I would pay 21% in tax.
I just cannot see how it is fair to hit hard-pressed consumers with an alcohol super tax that keeps on rising by 2% above inflation, year on year. Surely the cost of living is already high enough without the Chancellor taking the tax on a bottle of spirits to over 80%, which is what will happen unless he calls time on his unpopular alcohol super tax in the next Budget.
George Osborne talks about creating new jobs and cutting taxes. Calling time on his super tax would do both. Independent research shows that 6000 new jobs could be created and £230 million of additional public finances generated to pay for schools and hospitals if he does the right thing and scraps his super tax.
The fact that my local pub would benefit too is really important. I was pleased when I heard the Chancellor wanted to support pubs, but then I learnt that he increased their tax bill by £34 million in 2013 through his Alcohol Duty Escalator on wines and spirits. This simply does not make sense when 26 million people drink wine in pubs, bars and restaurants, and wine and spirits already account for almost half (42%) of their alcohol sales.
Almost two million people depend on the alcohol industry for their livelihoods, while the industry generates £38 billion for the economy annually and pays £17 billion in tax.
Responsible drinkers deserve a freeze in alcohol duty, not another inflation-busting tax hike. Please could you urge the Chancellor to use his 2014 Budget to do the right thing and scrap this deeply unpopular super tax? I look forward to hearing from you and to receiving a copy of the Chancellor’s response to your letter.
The Chancellor last year decided not to implement the escalator on beer, and what do you know, as a result, the latest figures show that beer sales have grown - showing consecutive growth in two quarters for the first time in ten years. This in turn has raised more revenue for HMG, protected jobs and seen new investment in the sector. And now Wines and Spirits please!
Do you know that some 79% of the cost of a bottle of spirits and some 60% of the cost of a bottle of wine goes directly to HMG in one tax or another! The alcohol industry in general employs some 2 million people, is a glowing example of excellence, helps tourism, raises billions in tax and at pub level is at the centre of community life. So any action to hold prices down must surely be progressive?
Now there is a new campaign; "CALL TIME ON DUTY" and you can see all of the details on their website: www.calltimeonduty.co.uk
You can also contribute to the campaign by sending the following letter to your MP (courtesy of the campaign). The more they receive the better! So if you want to see the price of your pint, glass of claret and glass of gin not grow once again by 2% above inflation, get an envelope, print off the script below, sign it and down to the post office you go (or maybe email it to your local MP?)
Dear xxxx
I am writing as a constituent to ask you to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on my behalf. I would be grateful if you could urge him to call time on his alcohol super tax (the Alcohol Duty Escalator) in the 2014 Budget.
I am supporting the campaign because I cannot believe how unfair the current alcohol tax system is. I find it incredible that if I buy an average priced bottle of spirits, more than three-quarters (79%) of it goes to the Chancellor in tax. The tax on a bottle of wine, nearly 60% of the cost of an average priced bottle, is also ridiculously high, especially if you compare it with France where I would pay 20% or Spain where I would pay 21% in tax.
I just cannot see how it is fair to hit hard-pressed consumers with an alcohol super tax that keeps on rising by 2% above inflation, year on year. Surely the cost of living is already high enough without the Chancellor taking the tax on a bottle of spirits to over 80%, which is what will happen unless he calls time on his unpopular alcohol super tax in the next Budget.
George Osborne talks about creating new jobs and cutting taxes. Calling time on his super tax would do both. Independent research shows that 6000 new jobs could be created and £230 million of additional public finances generated to pay for schools and hospitals if he does the right thing and scraps his super tax.
The fact that my local pub would benefit too is really important. I was pleased when I heard the Chancellor wanted to support pubs, but then I learnt that he increased their tax bill by £34 million in 2013 through his Alcohol Duty Escalator on wines and spirits. This simply does not make sense when 26 million people drink wine in pubs, bars and restaurants, and wine and spirits already account for almost half (42%) of their alcohol sales.
Almost two million people depend on the alcohol industry for their livelihoods, while the industry generates £38 billion for the economy annually and pays £17 billion in tax.
Responsible drinkers deserve a freeze in alcohol duty, not another inflation-busting tax hike. Please could you urge the Chancellor to use his 2014 Budget to do the right thing and scrap this deeply unpopular super tax? I look forward to hearing from you and to receiving a copy of the Chancellor’s response to your letter.
Friday, 24 January 2014
Campaigning To Stop Further UK Pub Closures
The time is coming that "something" really needs to happen!
We have lost around ten thousand pubs in recent years, and if we are not careful we will lose many more in the not too distant future. There is of course lots going on to try and fight off the demise of our treasured pub institution, but frankly all of the effort in the world, other than getting more people to use pubs more often, will come to nought unless 'pub-going' gets back into fashion.
Government is also now realising that if more people stay at home drinking and purchasing alcohol in supermarkets there is a loss in revenue terms to the exchequer, this along with the social impact and high street demise. Pubs are important, stupid.
So what part does "the cost of going to the pub" play in the greater scheme of things? I think "more and more" is the answer.
I have blogged before on my 'hobby-horse' about our culture of 'round-buying', and I continue to believe that it is detrimental to our industry. I hear many people say that they avoid certain pubs at certain times because they know they will get involved in a round-buying group where a round can cost £20 or more. For those who want to go on doing it "fine", but let us create a culture where it is perfectly acceptable for those who want to "buy their own" to not be considered as skinflints or social pariahs!
Onto the VAT disparity twixt supermarkets and pubs. It is outrageous that supermarkets pay no VAT on food when pubs pay (and therefore you dear pub customer) 20%.
The argument is simple: Reduce VAT for pubs – more people will visit, spend more money, create more jobs, regenerate high streets, generate more revenue for HMG. The battle is joined and growing in influence. Want to know more? Take a view: www.vatclubjacquesborrel.co.uk
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Courses
We have lost around ten thousand pubs in recent years, and if we are not careful we will lose many more in the not too distant future. There is of course lots going on to try and fight off the demise of our treasured pub institution, but frankly all of the effort in the world, other than getting more people to use pubs more often, will come to nought unless 'pub-going' gets back into fashion.
Government is also now realising that if more people stay at home drinking and purchasing alcohol in supermarkets there is a loss in revenue terms to the exchequer, this along with the social impact and high street demise. Pubs are important, stupid.
So what part does "the cost of going to the pub" play in the greater scheme of things? I think "more and more" is the answer.
I have blogged before on my 'hobby-horse' about our culture of 'round-buying', and I continue to believe that it is detrimental to our industry. I hear many people say that they avoid certain pubs at certain times because they know they will get involved in a round-buying group where a round can cost £20 or more. For those who want to go on doing it "fine", but let us create a culture where it is perfectly acceptable for those who want to "buy their own" to not be considered as skinflints or social pariahs!
Onto the VAT disparity twixt supermarkets and pubs. It is outrageous that supermarkets pay no VAT on food when pubs pay (and therefore you dear pub customer) 20%.
The argument is simple: Reduce VAT for pubs – more people will visit, spend more money, create more jobs, regenerate high streets, generate more revenue for HMG. The battle is joined and growing in influence. Want to know more? Take a view: www.vatclubjacquesborrel.co.uk
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Courses
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
Campaigns Against Ever-Rising Pub Closures
Against a background report from CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), that in the six months to March this year, an increased rate of pub closures went up from eighteen per week to twenty six per week, the industry and other parties are stepping up their tremendous efforts to protect and promote our pub industry.
Here are a few things that are happening;
A new consumer campaign, complimentary to the campaign I blogged on last week (Pubs are Great) has been launched to celebrate Britain’s passion for pubs. “Its Better Down the Pub” encourages pub goers to celebrate why they love pubs so much. Take a look on YouTube at the video. There are some heavyweight players behind the campaign including Admiral Taverns, The BII, Everards, Fullers, The Pub is the Hub and SIBA (Society Independent Brewers) and many other supporters.
Then there is Jacques Borel continuing with his campaign to have VAT reduced for the Hospitality Sector, some £1.4 million has so far been spent on the campaign and Mr Borel boasts that in 6o countries across the world where he has run similar campaigns, he has been successful in 58 of them! In addition to his belief that a reduction will drive job opportunities he further argues that with an election not too far away, politicians will be eager to demonstrate any way in which they can reduce un-employment. Some senior politicians seem to rubbish his rationale…we will see.
Then we have the Skills Sector for Hospitably forecasting that 50% of all employers will take on an apprentice, this will do wonders to raise the skill level and customer care levels within pubs.
Politically, another campaign to save pubs from closure is running via CAMRA. “List you Local” encourages residents to list their local pub as an “Asset of Community Value”, once listed it gives more time and opportunity to explore other options rather than closure.
And how about UKIPs campaign “Save the Pub” no matter what your politics are, saving the pub seems a pretty neutral political thrust but only UKIP claim to be the Political Party for The Pub (their words not mine!).
Here's another for you “Fair Deal for Your Local” - even more political this one, I chose to stay out of this debate! Not sure where HMG is with Minimum Pricing but I guess it is still on an agenda somewhere!
As for Inn-Dispensable, we continue with our efforts to raise Knowledge Skill and Attitudes of staff within pubs throughout our extensive range of courses!
All of this combined surely must have an impact on encouraging customers back into the pub?
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Training
Here are a few things that are happening;
A new consumer campaign, complimentary to the campaign I blogged on last week (Pubs are Great) has been launched to celebrate Britain’s passion for pubs. “Its Better Down the Pub” encourages pub goers to celebrate why they love pubs so much. Take a look on YouTube at the video. There are some heavyweight players behind the campaign including Admiral Taverns, The BII, Everards, Fullers, The Pub is the Hub and SIBA (Society Independent Brewers) and many other supporters.
Then there is Jacques Borel continuing with his campaign to have VAT reduced for the Hospitality Sector, some £1.4 million has so far been spent on the campaign and Mr Borel boasts that in 6o countries across the world where he has run similar campaigns, he has been successful in 58 of them! In addition to his belief that a reduction will drive job opportunities he further argues that with an election not too far away, politicians will be eager to demonstrate any way in which they can reduce un-employment. Some senior politicians seem to rubbish his rationale…we will see.
Then we have the Skills Sector for Hospitably forecasting that 50% of all employers will take on an apprentice, this will do wonders to raise the skill level and customer care levels within pubs.
Politically, another campaign to save pubs from closure is running via CAMRA. “List you Local” encourages residents to list their local pub as an “Asset of Community Value”, once listed it gives more time and opportunity to explore other options rather than closure.
And how about UKIPs campaign “Save the Pub” no matter what your politics are, saving the pub seems a pretty neutral political thrust but only UKIP claim to be the Political Party for The Pub (their words not mine!).
Here's another for you “Fair Deal for Your Local” - even more political this one, I chose to stay out of this debate! Not sure where HMG is with Minimum Pricing but I guess it is still on an agenda somewhere!
As for Inn-Dispensable, we continue with our efforts to raise Knowledge Skill and Attitudes of staff within pubs throughout our extensive range of courses!
All of this combined surely must have an impact on encouraging customers back into the pub?
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Training
Friday, 10 May 2013
'Pubs are Great' Campaign To Promote UK Tourism
A combined initiative to promote British Pubs, who would have thought it?
What is: a great product, one of the world’s greatest institutions and the third most popular reason given by tourists for visiting Britain?…THE BRITISH PUB!
And so the BBPA (British Pub and Beer Association) have teamed up with Visit Britain to launch a campaign to encourage people to visit pubs.
The marketing will be titled 'Pubs are Great' and HMG will be involved, as their Visit Britain campaign will give support to the initiative.
Is this what "Dave" meant when he recently said, "We are going to do more to help the British Pub"? Let's hope so. More of it say I!
Thought for the day: "It's never too late"
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Courses
What is: a great product, one of the world’s greatest institutions and the third most popular reason given by tourists for visiting Britain?…THE BRITISH PUB!
And so the BBPA (British Pub and Beer Association) have teamed up with Visit Britain to launch a campaign to encourage people to visit pubs.
The marketing will be titled 'Pubs are Great' and HMG will be involved, as their Visit Britain campaign will give support to the initiative.
Is this what "Dave" meant when he recently said, "We are going to do more to help the British Pub"? Let's hope so. More of it say I!
Thought for the day: "It's never too late"
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Courses
Thursday, 18 April 2013
A Plea For Minimum Alcohol Pricing Leadership
In a Blog some months ago I had a torturous argument with myself as to whether I supported Minimum Pricing or not, eventually on the grounds that it would contribute somewhat to helping The British Pub, I came down in favour of a Yes!
Now today 12 very influential CEOs within our industry have written in the Telegraph with a similar plea to “Call me Dave” to “stick to his guns” and bring in the measure.
The argument goes something like this:
Minimum pricing will not solve all of our alcohol-related ills, but it will help to encourage responsible drinking and curb excessive drinking. All too often customers arrive at licensed premises already blitzed, often to be refused entrance. They then go onto cause mayhem in town centres which in turn reflects badly on pubs and clubs, but its nothing to do with them because the alcohol has been consumed at home beforehand!! Pretty unfair, Eh?
In their letter, they urge Dave (my term) “not to waste the opportunity” and ask that he continues to show courage and leadership in theses difficult times. Bit of a different degree of courage that Maggie (God rest her soul) had to show when the Falklands were invaded. But never the less Dave needs to follow up his pledge of some time ago that minimum Pricing is a pillar of conservative policy.
The Treasury are opposing the introduction, and several ministers have argued that it will penalise the majority of drinkers - so time to be counted Dave. The British pub needs all of the support it can get. 1 million jobs, £8 billion raised in taxes!
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Training
Now today 12 very influential CEOs within our industry have written in the Telegraph with a similar plea to “Call me Dave” to “stick to his guns” and bring in the measure.
The argument goes something like this:
Minimum pricing will not solve all of our alcohol-related ills, but it will help to encourage responsible drinking and curb excessive drinking. All too often customers arrive at licensed premises already blitzed, often to be refused entrance. They then go onto cause mayhem in town centres which in turn reflects badly on pubs and clubs, but its nothing to do with them because the alcohol has been consumed at home beforehand!! Pretty unfair, Eh?
In their letter, they urge Dave (my term) “not to waste the opportunity” and ask that he continues to show courage and leadership in theses difficult times. Bit of a different degree of courage that Maggie (God rest her soul) had to show when the Falklands were invaded. But never the less Dave needs to follow up his pledge of some time ago that minimum Pricing is a pillar of conservative policy.
The Treasury are opposing the introduction, and several ministers have argued that it will penalise the majority of drinkers - so time to be counted Dave. The British pub needs all of the support it can get. 1 million jobs, £8 billion raised in taxes!
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Training
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
The Next On-going Pub Battle!
New powers have been given to councils across the UK, under the National Planning Policy Framework, to give greater protection to community pubs; the trick is to get more councils to make use of them!
Some 18 pubs continue to close each week and we need councils to follow the lead of Cambridge, Bristol and a few others in creating Pro-Pubs policies.
All too often loopholes in the planning system allow a pub to be knocked down and turned into a supermarket, betting shop or payday loan shop. Once a pub has gone it really has gone and will not be replaced!
CAMRA that mighty and good organisation is supporting the Save the Pub groups campaign to encourage councils to use policies to support and protect pubs with strong local policies. We at Inn-Dispensable are also doing all we can to add our weight to this worthy cause.
These efforts must be backed up by the Government to close loopholes that allow pubs to be demolished or converted to other uses without local community consultation.
All who contributed to the Beer Duty Escalator issue and won, can now show another united front to protect one of the worlds Greatest Institutions: THE BRITISH PUB.
Personal Licence Training from Inn-dispensable
Some 18 pubs continue to close each week and we need councils to follow the lead of Cambridge, Bristol and a few others in creating Pro-Pubs policies.
All too often loopholes in the planning system allow a pub to be knocked down and turned into a supermarket, betting shop or payday loan shop. Once a pub has gone it really has gone and will not be replaced!
CAMRA that mighty and good organisation is supporting the Save the Pub groups campaign to encourage councils to use policies to support and protect pubs with strong local policies. We at Inn-Dispensable are also doing all we can to add our weight to this worthy cause.
These efforts must be backed up by the Government to close loopholes that allow pubs to be demolished or converted to other uses without local community consultation.
All who contributed to the Beer Duty Escalator issue and won, can now show another united front to protect one of the worlds Greatest Institutions: THE BRITISH PUB.
Personal Licence Training from Inn-dispensable
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)