DUTY ON BEERS AND CIDER

That this House believes that pubs and clubs are a vital part of communities and recognises that they are under pressure from long-term trends in how citizens consume alcohol; further believes that price and taxation constitutes only one of a limited number of factors affecting their income but that the tax system should recognise the need to support pubs and clubs whilst not encouraging increases in off-trade consumption; calls on the Government to introduce measures in the 2009 Budget which place different rates of duty on draught as opposed to pre-packaged beers and cider; and further believes that by having a lower rate of duty on draught beers sold in pubs the Government can offer support to pubs and clubs without encouraging binge drinking or incurring large losses of revenues.