Support for Pubs
During my recent Daventry Pub of the Year Awards, I had the opportunity to chat with pubs over the issues worrying them most this winter. Naturally, the price of energy was top of the agenda which is why I’m pleased to see a package of support for pubs announced.
Through the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, the Government will provide a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices for all non-domestic customers whose current energy prices have been significantly inflated. This is the equivalent to the Energy Price Guarantee put in place for households.
Please see below some key elements of this scheme and as ever, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your questions at [email protected].
- The Government will set a Supported Wholesale Price (a discounted price per unit of gas and electricity). This is expected to be £211 per MWh for electricity and £75 per MWh for gas- less than half the wholesale prices anticipated this winter.
- It will apply to fixed contracts agreed on or after 1 April 2022, as well as to deemed, variable, and flexible tariffs and contracts.
- It will apply to energy usage from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023
- Savings will be first seen in October bills, which are typically received in November.
- The Government will publish a review into the operation of the scheme in three months to inform decisions on future support after March 2023.
Further to this, the Government is continuing to freeze alcohol duty for beer, cider, wine and spirits next year and will continue reforms which modernise our alcohol duty system.
- This will save 3p off a pint of beer and 12p on a glass of wine.
- Draught relief to cover smaller kegs of 20 litres and above to help smaller breweries will be extended.
- An 18-month transitional measure for wine duty will be introduced.
For pubs in Daventry Town and larger villages where space may be an issue, the Government’s long-term strategy includes an extension to pavement licences. This will make it easier and cheaper for pubs, restaurants and cafes to continue to make outdoor dinning a reality with seating, tables and street stalls to serve food and drink.
We have also seen a rise in community-owned pubs across the constituency so I am pleased to see the £150 million Community Ownership Fund which allows community groups to buy assets so they can continue to serve their local area.
Again, if there are any specific concerns that pubs may have over the coming winter months, please do not hesitate to get in touch at [email protected].