The Morning Advertiser (MA) is campaigning for the Government to reduce VAT on the hospitality sector to 5%. The MA claims it could help create 220,000 jobs and rejuvenate the sector. Sign the petition here or follow it on Twitter. See here for a CPL training comment.
A report by economic experts Oxford Economics shows that 980,000 jobs in the UK depend on the beer and pub trade. The report was commissioned by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), who in a press release said the figures will fuel concerns over plans for huge beer tax hikes in the Budget this month. BBPA Chief Executive Brigid Simmonds said “These figures show how vital the beer and pub trade is to the UK economy, with huge numbers of jobs dependent on the sector." Highlighting expected duty rises in the forthcoming budget, Simmonds called for a freeze in beer duty.
The Home Office has issued guidance for pubs and door staff for spotting and seizing illegal ID from under-age customers - summary from the MA.
Pubs to use 'civil recovery' to help cover security costs, reports the MA. Licensees are being offered a way to claim money from troublemakers who damage their property or attack their staff, under a scheme being led by National Pubwatch. The Pub is the Hub has reported a big increase in the number of community groups wanting to take on pubs, reports the MA. However a Publican report warns right-to-buy could 'devastate' the market.
The Scottish Alcohol Act 2010 is due to come into force this year on October 1. The Publican reports it will include a 'major clampdown on alcohol sales in Scotland – including a ban on “irresponsible” off-trade promotions and pubs being forced to operate a Challenge 25 policy'. Northern Ireland pubs could face penalty points for underage sales in new plans from the Irish Assembly - MA reports.
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