POLL OF THE DAY: Should the government do more to protect our local pubs? - VOTE NOW

Distillers are already facing huge increases in costs for supplies such as grain, with hikes to national insurance contributions only making things worse.

In 2024, four in five pubs (83 per cent) reported declining profits, two in three (67 per cent) reported declining footfall, 97 per cent experienced increased costs, and 72 per cent reported a decline in sales.

British spirits such as gin and Scotch Whisky are the highest taxed category of alcohol in the UK, with over 70 per cent of the cost of a bottle claimed by the Exchequer, while a bottle of British made beer makes on average 2p profit after costs.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her October 2024 Budget said that alcohol duty rates on draught products below 8.5 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV) would be cut by 1.7 per cent from today, so that an average ABV strength pint will pay 1p less in duty.

It is not even good news for the Treasury because the increased prices at pubs have meant fewer people can afford to buy a drink, and the tax revenue from many alcoholic drinks has gone down.

With that in mind, should the government do more to protect our local pubs? Have your say by voting in the poll above.