4:30pm Thursday 2nd September 2010
THE pub trade has called for a fairer system of tax on alcohol to help create jobs and raise money for the government.
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) said taxing alcohol according to its strength would create thousands of jobs and bring in more taxes.
The industry wants to see lower taxes on beer which is generally weaker than other forms of alcohol like spirits and wine.
BBPA figures show that under the current system, alcohol in the form of beer costs 42p per unit on average compared with 37p for vodka, 38p for gin and 33p for cider.
According to the BBPA 29,000 jobs would be created and around £250 million in extra revenues from employment and corporation tax would be generated if the taxation on alcohol was made fairer.
The plan has won backing from local licensees.
John Jewitt, licensee of the Man and Scythe on Churchgate, Bolton, agreed that if changes to tax on beer was introduced over a period of time it could benefit pubs.
Mr Jewitt, who has been landlord at the pub for the last 14 years, said: “We need an even keel on pricing policy.
“But it would need to be introduced slowly or there would be all sorts of pricing peculiarities.”
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