Farron backs fair deal for South Lakes pubs

South Lakes MP Tim Farron is supporting a change to the way beer is taxed that has the potential to create around a hundred new jobs in the South Lakes.

Around 30,000 new jobs would be created nationally if the Government gave beer a fair deal in the alcohol duty system, according to a submission by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) to the Coalition Government's review of alcohol taxation

According to research by Oxford Economics, the current alcohol tax system discourages the consumption of beer, which is low-strength and overwhelmingly UK produced. A better deal for beer would be a major boost for the industry, helping to keep pubs open and create new jobs. This would be an especially welcome change in Cumbria, where there have been a growing number of pub-closures in recent years, despite the region's many acclaimed local breweries.

Commenting, Tim said, "A fair deal for beer would be a big lift for the pubs of the South Lakes, not only for local pubs and breweries but also for the communities that are struggling to keep their local services and provide employment. The pub is a focal point of the community and something we need to support. I am hoping that the government will listen to this submission and make sure that we are doing all we can to keep them going."