The Campaign for Pubs is the national grassroots campaign group representing pubs, publicans and pubgoers. This is our submission to the Treasury, regarding the UK Budget 2021.

Introduction

Despite the fact that the Government has announced provisional dates when pubs may be able to open, pubs, publicans and their families urgently need support, simply to be able to get through until the summer and the possibility of indoor opening without unprofitable restrictions, and also to survive longer term. This support must be announced in Budget 2021 – and just as importantly, it must be properly targeted.

The situation for pubs and publicans is very serious. Many publicans are in significant and rising debt, many cannot pay VAT bills and already pubs are closing and families are facing hardship. Pubs closed in lockdown still have to meet significant fixed costs, especially in the case of many thousands of pubs that are burdened with unsympathetic property owners who are still charging unreasonable, and in some cases full, property costs such as rent; something the Government has failed to stop…