PUB CLOSURES

This House notes that pubs are at the heart of communities across the UK; welcomes ongoing cross-party efforts to protect the British pub; acknowledges that an increasing number of pubs are diversifying in order to provide an ever more valuable and enjoyable offer to their customers; further notes that pubs provide employment for over 900,000 people and contribute £23 billion to the economy; however, acknowledges that latest research by the Campaign for Real Ale highlights that 18 pubs are still closing every week; recognises that recent changes in planning law and taxation have helped the industry, but more still needs to be done to help pubs; and therefore calls on the Government to take further steps to support pubs which reduces the tax burden will enshrine the valuable role the great British pub plays in UK society.