STOCKPORT PUBS AT RISK, WARNS LOCAL MP

2.51.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 13th Jul 2009

Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell has warned that last week's defeat in the Commons of plans to cut the tax on beer threatens the future of many pubs in Stockport.

The Liberal Democrats last week put forward a motion to have the alcohol tax escalator - which sees duty go up 2% above inflation every year - scrapped.

Mr Stunell and the Liberal Democrat voted in favour of the amendment, which was lost by 62 votes to 311. The Conservatives, despite pledging to save local pubs, didn't even bother to turn up for the vote.

25 pubs have closed across Stockport since 2005, and many more are struggling to survive in the recession. Now Mr Stunell says that pub campaigners will be astonished that the promise of support for their fight from the Conservatives has proved empty.

Commenting, Andrew Stunell said:

"I have had scores of local residents contact me in the last few weeks to say they want Parliament to safeguard the future of Stockport pubs, and to back a cut in beer duty. Last week MPs had the chance to do just that as the final stages of the Budget were voted on.

"Sadly Conservative MPs sat on their hands at the vital moment, and only the Liberal Democrats backed the crucial vote, leaving Alistair Darling's beer tax unscathed and our local pubs at risk."

"Their latest u-turn comes at a time when respect for politicians is at an all-time low, and I am sure they will live to regret it."

ENDS