Prime minister Rishi Sunak is said to have stepped in personally to allow pubs to carry on selling takeaway pints of beer.
Rishi Sunak pictured recently at CAMRA’s Great British Beer Festival.
Photograph: Simon Walker/No 10 Downing Street
When new alcohol duty rules came into force on 1st August, it was thought that takeaways would be banned. This was because thecontents are not technically being draught beer, which now benefits from a lower duty rate.
But, according to The Sun, the prime minister, who is teetotal, has stepped in personally to make sure take-outs can continue.
“Takeaway pints and al fresco drinks are not just a much-enjoyed addition to pub menus, but also a welcome source of income for businesses recovering from the impacts of the pandemic,” said a 10 Downing Street source.
“The PM will always back British pubs. He’s listened to the industry and heard them loud and clear. Now is not the time to call last orders on takeaway pints and the boost to business that they bring.”
Tom Stainer, chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said: “It’s a good sign that the Government has listened and decided to backtrack on their plans to end the automatic permission for pubs to make off-sales.
“We hope that they have also been listening very carefully to the trade and consumers, who are also calling for a relaxation of the new tax rules around draught takeaway sales, which restrict many publicans from selling takeaway beer and cider regardless of whether their license allows them to do so.
“This is because the new rules force them to buy separate containers of draught beers and ciders, with a higher rate of duty paid on them if they want to sell them for takeaway. We are hopeful that the Government will remove these unnecessary restrictions soon.”
