Pub Closures - Stock answers from Angela Eagle MP

I recently contacted my MP with regards beer taxes and pub closures. First off is my mail which I sent as part of a campagn on the part of the drinkers alliance group:

Sent: Thursday, 27 November, 2008 3:48:53 PM
Subject: Axe the Beer Tax

Dear Paul Flynn,

I am writing to you to make sure you are aware of a campaign to save the British pub. As my MP, I want you to sign up to the campaign to show your support for pubs up and down the country. I would also ask that you to write to the Chancellor requesting that he stops the planned rises in beer tax which could ruin the brewing industry.

This is the last time to be considering tax hikes. The current rate of pub closures is running at 36 per week, around 5 a day! Pub landlords are facing a fall in beer consumption, with beer sales at their lowest since the Great Depression. And, the Government already takes a third of a pint in tax.

Yet, despite the economic slowdown the Government plans to further increase taxes on beer! A nine per cent beer duty increase was imposed in the 2008 Budget, and through a tax 'escalator,' the Treasury wants to impose above inflation tax increases on beer in each of the next three Budgets. On top of this the Chancellor has recently announced a further duty increase. This takes the total increase in beer tax to 40% over the next four years. 

This could well be the final nail in the coffin for many more of Britain's much loved pubs.

The Axe The Beer Tax campaign has five demands: 

1. Axe plans to increase beer tax by a third
2. Enforce existing laws, not create new ones, to deal firmly with irresponsible drinkers and premises
3. To end the irresponsible promotion of alcohol in supermarkets, pubs and elsewhere
4. To trust responsible adults to make informed choices about what they drink, not to punish them for the actions of an irresponsible minority 
5. To support the British pub as a vital party of social life in local communities

I hope you will support these demands. To do so, please visit the campaign website www.axethebeertax.com to register your support and help us save the Great British Pub.

Yours sincerely,

Now here is the reply back from Paul Flynn to the email sent as part of a campaign by the drinkers alliance.

Attached is a reply that I have received from Angela Eagle MP in response to your email about the beer tax.

 

You will see that it is a disappointing reply and the Minister makes the point that many other factors are involved in the declining number of customers that pubs have these days.  It is worth pointing out that last weekend 13 million people stayed in on the busiest day of the year to watch Strictly Come Dancing and similar numbers on previous weeks to watch the X Factor.  While there has been a sad disappearance of some pubs in Newport other very successful ones have opened in recent years.

 

It is unlikely that the price of beer is a major factor in the decline of pubs.

 

Thank you once again for contacting me about this.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Paul Flynn 
 

Paul Flynn MP House of Commons London SW1A OAA

Lasty here is the stock letter that was sent by Angela Eagle MP, note the words stock letter as I happen to know a few other people who have sent letters/e-mails to their MP's which have in due course been forwarded to this MP and the exact same fucking letter has been sent from her to each and every MP.

There are a few points on this letter, first up it doesn't tackle the main points raised by the drinkers alliance. Just read the points on new laws, responsible promotions, pub closures etc etc etc. 

Then the worst point is this steaming pile of arse gravy at the end about "the changes in the demand for beer are the result of many factors including shifting tastes and consumer preferences."

In a word bollocks, the number of micro brewerys has grown, consumers drink as much beer as they ever did(taxes allowing) and would love to go out a bit more and would if the taxes were lowered.  
Now here is a little bit on how not everyone pays the same in taxes, indeed if one happens to be an elected MP, like Angela Eagle or Paul Flynn they can enjoy cheap drinks all subsidised by the taxpayers of this fair land: link

Thanks to bastard old holborn for the pic.

The House of Commons Refreshment Department operated on a subsidy of £5.5 million of taxpayers’ money in the 2007/08 financial year, equivalent to total annual tax receipts from 35 pubs. The subsidy, not published in the House of Commons’ Annual Accounts, was £693,000 higher than in 2006/07, a 15% increase.

It accounted for 43% of the Department’s operating costs, meaning that the taxpayer coughs up £4.30 for every £10 spent refreshing our politicians: even before they claim back their outgoings without receipts through the notorious expenses system.

There are at least 12 bars in the Parliamentary estate, excluding the various dining rooms, brasseries and banqueting suites. Unsurprisingly, given the MPs write their own laws as well as ours, they operate without a licence and have no restrictions on hours.

Given the level of subsidy, it is unsurprising that MPs can enjoy much cheaper drinks than their constituents. A pint of Foster’s in Stranger’s Bar costs £2.10, compared with a national average of £2.80 (33% higher) and a London average of around £3.00 (43% higher). A House of Commons 8-year-old Scotch costs £1.35, while our politicians can enjoy a Pimm’s on the Thames-side terrace for just £1.65.

It is rather telling that our MP's and noble Lords are unable to run a pub without drawing monies from the public, the old saying about "being unable to organise a piss up in a brewery" leaps forth here.

Now Paul Flynn makes the point of some pubs going from Newport, so here is a list of the ones that have closed since 1997. 

Again in part this is due to higher taxes year on year on the pub trade. The replacements in the main have been large corporate chains like JD Wetherspoon devoid of social interaction with customers and little more than a Mc'Donald type chain with a drinks license.  Original article at Beer Brewer on Newport pub closures since 1997.

Also on Mr Flynns reply quite why he seems to regard the millions watching chavscum TV as important to the subject of pub closures?

"13 million people stayed in on the busiest day of the year to watch Strictly Come Dancing and similar numbers on previous weeks to watch the X Factor."

Maybe if taxes were lower then more people would be able to enjoy a quiet pint in a nice local pub and actually improve themselves with some social interaction over that of staring at the telly box in the corner of the room?....

.