LOCAL PUBS IN CUMBRIA

That this House believes that pubs are at the heart of many of the UK's communities, particularly in rural areas; recognises that the pub industry in the South Lakes area is currently worth around £30 million to the local economy, with around 3,000 dependent jobs; is therefore concerned by recent statistics which show that on average 21 pubs in the UK close every week; calls for business rate relief to be given to pubs in more remote areas to encourage landlords to have confidence in their medium-term planning; and calls on the Government to protect local pubs like those in Cumbria by committing to not increase beer duty for the life of this Parliament.