70% of public oppose beer tax hike

Seven in ten people are opposed to Government plans to increase beer tax in the forthcoming Budget, research revealed today.

In the poll of more than 1,000 people, by research firm ComRes, more than eight in ten said they believed that community spirit and values are under threat in UK today.

More than three-quarters (76%) said the Government does not do enough to support elements of local communities, including pubs, with 70% warning that increase in beer tax above inflation in current circumstances is unjustified.

The survey also revealed that 63% believe that the local pub is an important element of local communities, while six in ten respondents say a pint of beer and local pubs are symbols of the British way of life.

A large number of MPs are expected to quiz ministers at a meeting in Parliament on Wednesday 4 March organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group

Rob Hayward, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said the results confirm what the industry has "long believed".

"The British public is deeply concerned about the decline of local communities, and the rapid closure of pubs is an important part of that," he said.

"Overwhelmingly, the public agrees that given the present economic circumstances the Government would be wrong to continue with its plans to increase beer tax further in this April's Budget, and we urge ministers to listen to the public."

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By Daniel Thomas

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