Fifth of drinkers put off pub till payday

Almost a fifth of UK workers put off going to the pub until payday because they can’t afford it, according to the results of a YouGov poll published by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA).

The YouGov poll analysed how Britons are coping with the cost of living with the results published by the BBPA this week.

It found that 69% of UK adults would support a cut or freeze in beer tax, 80% want wider taxes on pubs to be frozen or cut, and 62% want to see a cut in business rates for Britain’s pubs.

The UK Government cut beer duty last year, however its rose by 42% over the previous five years leaving the UK duty on beer standing at twelve times that of Germany.

The BBPA is continuing its campaign for a freeze on UK beer duty ahead of the setting of the budget next week.

According to The British Beer & Pub Association, the average pub pays £33,300 in alcohol duties, £12,500 in business rates, and £122,200 in total taxes and regulatory charges per year – costs that must be passed on to pub goers.

The BBPA said that despite a welcome turnaround in the economy, the nation is continuing to “tighten its collective belts” and is in need of some respite from the upcoming budget.

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “The Chancellor has a golden opportunity in the budget, to help hard pressed consumers by cutting, or at the very least freezing, beer duty to help pubs.

“Last year’s historic duty cut was both wise and popular. Action on beer duty would help boost the quality of life for millions of Britons who are still feeling the pinch, by protecting one of life’s simple pleasures – a great beer in your favourite pub.”