The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has called on Southwark and Redbridge councils to reconsider their proposals to introduce Late-Night Levies (LNL) as they would be damaging for their local pubs. Responding to recent consultations on LNLs in both Southwark and Redbridge, the BBPA has outlined its opposition to LNLs, arguing that they are in effect a direct and punitive tax on local businesses like pubs that are already disproportionately burdened with a range of taxes, business rates and other overheads. The beer and pub sector alone already pays £58.6m in tax in Southwark and £16.5m in tax in Redbridge. The BBPA also believes that LNLs do not work effectively in addressing local late-night alcohol-related issues. This is reflective of a House of Lords committee report on the Licensing Act 2003, which assessed LNLs, finding that they “failed to achieve [their] objectives and should be abolished.”[1] Additionally, the BBPA has also noted that many local authorities and police forces have acknowledged that alcohol-related issues are not caused by the majority of licensed premises, especially pubs offering late-night entertainment in a well-managed and responsible environment. The BBPA has therefore argued that there are far more effective local partnership models that can be used to address late-night alcohol-related issues, without damaging local businesses. For example, the use of Business Improvement Districts (BID) that enable local businesses to lead in the management of their night-time economy. Beyond this, there are a range of partnership working schemes already in place which the BBPA and wider pub sector fully support including Pubwatch, Best Bar None and Street Pastors. Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, comments: “Introducing a Late-Night Levy is a backward step for any local authority. The current Late-Night Levy framework does not work effectively in addressing local late-night alcohol-related issues. It is a tax and unfair to well-run and responsible businesses such as pubs – many of which are SMEs already struggling to get by. “A Late-Night Levy will be a nail in the coffin for some community pubs. When business rates are the basis for the calculation, premises like pubs will pay a disproportionate share. Both Southwark and Redbridge should look at working in partnership with their late-night sector, not taxing them out of existence." [1] House of Lords Select Committee on the Licensing Act 2003 (2017), The Licensing Act 2003: post-legislative scrutiny
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has called on the Government and devolved administrations to work towards a fair, industry-led and effective UK-wide Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) that excludes glass - a view widely shared across the drinks industry. The BBPA has also argued that busy pubs operating in a ‘closed loop’ environment where drinks are consumed on the premises should not be burdened with having to charge and refund deposits to customers. This is because many are small premises and must be exempt from being return points. This would be in line with proposals for Scotland. For a DRS to be successful, the BBPA believes that it must align with other Government ambitions to tackle packaging waste, including proposals to improve the consistency of kerbside recycling and reforms of the existing Producer Packaging Responsibility Regulations. The BBPA has outlined these concerns separately in response to DEFRA consultations on Producer Responsibility and consistency of kerbside recycling. The BBPA remains firmly of the view that there should be one UK wide DRS system. Whilst the BBPA are committed to working with the Scottish Government on their proposals, the requirement for separate stock keeping units (SKUs) under a DRS operating only in Scotland and the proposed inclusion of glass will add significant costs, complexity and challenges for consumers and businesses alike in both Scotland and the rest of the UK. The BBPA is therefore calling for more analysis to understand the risks and benefits of having two separate schemes. Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, comments: “The BBPA believes a UK-aligned DRS scheme for single use materials used for on-the-go packaging remains the optimal solution. We certainly do not believe that the additional costs and challenges with including glass can be justified. “We have however, welcomed the decision in Scotland that pubs will be able to choose whether to charge a deposit, or whether to work within a ‘closed loop system’ with producers. The BBPA is committed to working with Government on a system which works for the brewing and pub sector, but it is essential that we are engaged and involved in detailed plans to make a system work before decisions are finalised.”
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has today commented on the announcement of the Pubs Code and Pubs Code Adjudicator review. Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, comments: “The six companies covered by the Pubs Code have always been committed to working within both the letter and spirit of the legislation to support the success of leased and tenanted pubs and publicans alike. “Whilst there have been some challenges with parts of the implementation of the Code for all involved, the BBPA and the companies covered by the code continue to work closely with the Adjudicator and other stakeholders to resolve these. “The BBPA welcomes this consultation as a valuable opportunity to assess the ongoing impact of the Code and the effectiveness of the Adjudicator, as well as to make suggestions for improvements.”
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