As new figures reveal that 10 local pubs per week have closed under the Tories, Labour today announces a five-point-plan to end the decline of British locals.
A number of pubs in Portsmouth have closed in recent years and in February, The News reported that 33 pubs in the area were at risk of closure.
Mr Morgan has long supported pubs in Portsmouth, speaking up for the hospitality sector in Parliament on issues and concerns and has hosted his Pint with your MP events in local pubs to meet with constituents to hear views and ideas.
Labour has announced a 5-point plan to end the decline of the British local that will include:
- ‘Right to buy’ shuttered pubs: Labour will give communities a strong new ‘right to buy’ beloved community assets like pubs, giving local people the chance to take over pubs that are closing or set to be sold to the highest bidder.
- Crack down on anti-social behaviour: Labour will crack down on anti-social behaviour with more neighbourhood police paid for by ending wasteful contracts.
- Roll out banking hubs: Local pubs serve customers who rely on cash, and they need reliable and accessible banking services on the high street. Labour will roll out banking hubs to guarantee face-to-face banking on the high street.
- Replace business rates: Under the Tories, pubs have been hammered with higher tax whilst online giants have failed to pay their fair share. Labour will replace business rates with a new system of business property taxation which rebalances the burden and levels the playing field between our high streets and online giants.
- Cut energy bills for good: too many pubs called last orders due to soaring energy bills. Great British Energy will invest in clean British energy to cut bills for good and protect pubs from spiking global prices.
Commenting, Labour candidate for Portsmouth South, Stephen Morgan, said:
“After 14 years of Conservative chaos and instability, we have seen pubs close across the country and here in Portsmouth.
“This is a symbol of decline we have endured under the Tories, but change is coming with Labour.
“Our 5-point plan will halt the fall of the British pub, stop the chaos, turn the page and start to rebuild Britain.”
Angela Rayner, Labour’s Deputy Leader and Shadow Housing Secretary, said:
“It’s time to call last orders for the Tories, with ten pubs per week closing on their watch.
“Change with Labour will mean the support our pubs need – with high street banking, community ‘right to buy’, run and restore pubs, along with cuts to energy bills to help landlords to keep the doors of our locals open.”
The number of pubs has fallen in every region, with over 1,100 lost across the north over 1,000 lost across the Midlands. On current trends, the number of pubs in the UK is set to halve by 2061.
Labour will end the decline of the British pub and take action to protect the local.
