Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
The Rt Hon Greg Clark MP
Fry Building
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
Date: 4th November 2015
Dear Greg,
I am writing to draw your attention to Early Day Motion (EDM) 107: “Support for Community Public Houses” which reads as:
‘That this House recognises and values the social and economic contribution of British beer and community pubs, which support almost 900,000 jobs and contribute £22 billion to UK GDP; believes that well-run pubs are an important community meeting place and the best place to enjoy alcohol responsibly; notes that more than 1,100 candidates supported the Campaign for Real Ale's beer and pub pledges ahead of the 2015 General Election, committing to support well-run community pubs, promote Britain's breweries and represent pub-goers and beer drinkers; welcomes this genuine cross-party consensus on the need to protect community pubs and breweries; and therefore encourages the Government to implement a package of measures to support community pubs and real ale.’
According to the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) 29 pubs are closing every week. This is a real shame as pubs are the cornerstone of traditional British life. Pubs also promote community cohesion and provide a space in which people can escape loneliness and isolation. I urge the Government to act to support community pubs and help turn their fortunes around. In particular, I am calling on the Government to:
- Freeze beer duty for the whole Parliament
- Grant planning protection for all pubs in England
- Finish the job on pub company reform with a powerful statutory code of practice for licences tied to big pub companies
I invite you to comment on EDM 107 and support local publicans, breweries and consumers by signing it.
I hope you will give this matter due attention - pubs are a vital part of “brand UK”, the industry deserves the support of Government to ensure that pubs not only survive but thrive.
Yours sincerely,
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