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Cut red tape on pubs

2nd February 2009

Upminster MP, Angela Watkinson, said this week;

"Small businesses are the life blood of our local economy and the financial pressures of the recession are causing problems for many of them."

"Local pubs are an important part of the social life of the community, where the majority of customers enjoy a drink responsibly. Across the country a record 39 pubs are closing every week with a loss of local jobs, including the part time employment that is important to people with other responsibilities.

It is extraordinary that, at this time when many pubs are struggling to survive, the government has proposed new regulations and taxes in the Police and Crime Bill that will add more than £300 million to the sector in costs, in order to stop binge drinking. This is yet another example of the government's habit of punishing the majority for the bad behaviour of the few. It might be easier but it certainly isn't fair and this Bill should be amended before it reaches the statute books so that binge drinkers who are causing public order problems have to take responsibility for their own actions."