THE Conservatives say dozens of pubs across the Lichfield area could face paying an additional £6,000 when tax increases arrive in April.
Changes to business rate relief for the hospitality sector and increases in National Insurance contributions being rolled out by the Government could hit the sector hard, the Tories have warned.
They say local figures on the impact of the “pub tax” could see around 90 local venues in the Lichfield constituency area facing an average financial hit of more than £6,000.
The Conservatives say that Labour’s move will threaten the viability of pubs locally and across the country.
Kevin Hollinrake MP, Shadow Communities Secretary, said:
“First the Labour Government came for pensioners, then they came for the farmers, then they came for small businesses – and now they’re coming for your local pub.
“Labour’s war on pubs will load tens of thousands of extra costs onto pubs, raise the price of a pint, put jobs in jeopardy and put our pubs at risk of closure.
“This is why we’ve launched the Save your Local campaign. Pubs are at the heart of our towns and cities, and we must protect them from Keir ‘no beer’ Starmer.
“Under new leadership the Conservatives will always back Britain’s pubs.”
People are being urged to sign a petition at www.savethelocal.co.uk.
Andrew Griffith, Shadow Business Secretary, said:
“Labour have broken their promises and are hiking taxes on everyone.
“Many pubs are facing a double whammy of higher business rates and higher National Insurance.
“This is a massive kick to pubs which are the lifeblood of local communities. I fear many will close and the remainder will have to put up prices – this is Labour’s pub tax.”
Well if we are going to have Shadow national spokespeople quoted on our local news source let me quote just three things the Labour government is doing.
Reforming business rates – so that 250,000 small businesses get up to 40% off their rates.
Tackling retail crime with new funding for prevention and police training, as well as ending the Tory policy that meant stolen goods worth under £200 weren’t investigated.
Taking action to stamp out the late payments that harm small businesses – and freezing fuel duty to bring down costs.
But Cllr Norman, small businesses currently get 75% business rate relief, so how does reducing that to 40% help?
@Steven Norman. It used to be up to 75% off business rates for retail and hospitality businesses… Good job Labour for making it 40%…
And if you pop on down to your local criminal court you’ll see lots people people in for thefts from a shop under £200.00. It’s been that way for years, nothing has changed.