The public think the government should support local pubs and breweries in Wednesday’s Budget, according to new research.

pub cheers

The research, conducted by YouGov on behalf of the British Beer and Pub Association and Long Live the Local, found that three in four British people Brits (76%) believed that pubs are important to local communities — a 4% increase since July 2019. Sixty-four per cent also said that pubs are important in securing the future of local high streets.

When asked if they wanted the chancellor to help pubs in the Budget, only 12% of respondents thought the government should not do anything. Fifty-two per cent of people supported a cut in business rates, 46% wanted to see a cut or freeze in beer duty, and 42% supported a reduction in VAT on pub food.

More than six in ten people (62%) thought the government should use the Budget to support Britain’s brewing industry, with 54% of people thinking a cut in beer duty should be included in the Budget. Seven in ten (69%) think the level of beer duty in the UK — 11 times higher than in Germany — is unfair.

A Long Live the Local petition to get beer duty lowered in the Budget can be signed here.

Missing the Pub

Meanwhile, the Campaign for Pubs is asking everyone who values pubs and our pub culture to join in the conversation and say why they are #missingthepub on social media. Find out more on our new Campaigns page.