Ruth Jones MP has today pledged their support for the Long Live the Local Campaign to help pubs in Newport West keep their doors open. Ruth Jones joins the more than 150,000 people who have signed the petition so far, including 265 in Newport West.

Ruth Jones MP is calling on the Government to cut beer tax at the Budget. With £1 in every £3 pounds spent in UK pubs going to the taxman, British drinkers now pay 40% of all beer tax across the EU, but drink only 12% of the beer. Brewing and pubs in Newport West supports 1425 jobs and contributes 31.7 to the local economy.

In 2018 there were 84 pubs in Newport West, but this is one fewer than 2017 and will continue to fall if we don’t protect pubs. In fact the UK is set to lose 10% of it’s pubs in the next five years.

Commenting on the campaign, Ruth Jones MP said:

“Pubs are at the heart of communities across Newport West, but with three British pubs closing their doors for good every day the Government should consider a cut to beer tax. I’m supporting the Long Live the Local campaign and calling on the Chancellor to cut beer tax at this year’s Budget to support pubs in our local communities.”

Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said:

“Beer duty has increased by 60% over the last 17 years and now the UK has one of the highest rates of tax in Europe. When over two thirds of all alcoholic drinks purchased in the pub are beers, a cut in beer tax would go a long way to protecting pubs across Newport West. We are very grateful to Ruth Jones for their support for the Long Live the Local campaign, and hope that the Government listens to MPs across Parliament and the thousands of people across the country who are calling for a cut in beer tax to protect our pubs.”