Dame Rebecca has warned that 20 pubs in Castle Point are under threat from Labour’s war on pubs and self-granted powers to ban smoking in pub beer gardens and outside pubs. 

This week, Dame Rebecca voted against the Government giving itself nanny state powers to ban smoking in pub beer gardens and outside pubs which would create an effective ban on smokers.

Dame Rebecca voted in favour of an amendment that would have prevented the Government from banning smoking in beer gardens and outside pubs. But after Labour MPs voted against the amendment, the Government will have powers to do so at a whim.

The smoking ban forms just part of Labour’s war on pubs which is increasing business rates by £5,500 for the average pub and £5,528 for 20 pubs across Castle Point.

This tax rise comes on top of the National Insurance Jobs Tax which will increase the cost of employing staff by £7,200 for the average pub with eight employees.

The Conservatives have also forced the Government into guaranteeing that it will not threaten the imperial pint as part of its programme of EU alignment.

Pubs have warned that Labour’s war on pubs could push up the price of a pint by as much as 40p.

Dame Rebecca is urging people to sign a petition by the Conservatives to Save the Local and urge the Government to end Labour’s war on pubs. The petition can be found here: https://www.whatlaboursaid.com/save-our-local.

Commenting, Dame Rebecca said:

“Labour have launched a nanny state war on pubs that is driving up taxes and red tape on your local and they have now given themselves the power to ban smoking in pub gardens.

“This is an attack on pubs and pub goers which is why the Conservatives have launched a petition to Save the Local from Labour’s war on pubs.

“By signing the petition, you can help to Save the Local, support the local economy and keep the price of a pint down.”

Commenting, Shadow Business and Trade Secretary Andrew Griffith said:

“Labour’s plans for an effective pub ban on smokers serves no-one but their nanny state ideals whilst harming pubs at the heart of communities across Britain. 

“Pubs are a great British institution which you can help to support by signing our petition to Save the Local. Under new leadership the Conservatives will always back Britain’s pubs.”