THE CONSERVATIVES say dozens of pubs across Solihull could face paying an extra £12,995 when tax increases come into force in April.
Changes to business rare relief for the hospitality and leisure sector and increases to employers’ National Insurance contributions being rolled out by the Government cold hit the sector hard, say the Conservatives.
They say the so called ‘pub tax’ could see around 70 venues across the borough hit.
The Conservative Party research reveals 36,730 pubs across the country face an average extra bill of more than £5,500 a year, meaning Solihull pubs would be paying double the national average.
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.”
However, Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North MP, Liam Byrne, says his party is backing the local pub with cuts to beer and cider duty.
He added: “The only ‘war on pubs’ was committed by the Tories, on their watch over 400 pubs closed their doors in the West Midlands.
“Labour is backing our locals by cutting beer and cider duty in pubs, reforming business rates to level the playing field between our high streets and online giants and lowering energy bills to help landlords keep the doors open.”
