Boost to pubs as Labour promises new powers to protect closure-threatened boozers — and hints beer duty will be frozen
LABOUR last night promised new powers to protect closure-threatened boozers — and hinted beer duty will be frozen.
Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled a five-point plan to save traditional pubs.
It comes after 80 called last orders in the first three months of this year.
Strong new “right to buy” powers will be given to communities to purchase beloved assets and business rates will be replaced with a fairer system.
Ms Reeves said: “Brits love our locals.
“Let’s back our landlords to keep our pubs going.”
She added: “We want to save the British pub because I know what an important institution they are in so many communities.”
She spoke to customers, and even pulled a pint, at The Humble Plumb yesterday as she hit the campaign trail in the Southampton Itchen constituency, which is 46th on the target list of Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party.
She outlined her plans which also include tackling anti-social behaviour with more police on the streets.
An extra 350 banking hubs will be available in town centres to give more access to services and plans for Great British Energy will help reduce bills, she added.
Labour will step in to stop pubs being boarded up by giving communities new right-to-buy powers.
Ms Reeves also gave the strongest hint yet that beer duty could be frozen when, if elected, she unveils her first Budget this autumn.
Jeremy Hunt extended the freeze in the spring thanks to The Sun’s Save Our Sups campaign, but that is due to expire next February.
Ms Reeves said: “The Sun has been right to spearhead this campaign.”
Yesterday was the 200th anniversary of the Weights and Measures Act, which defined the British pint.