I recognise the crucial role that pubs play in the social and economic life of our nation. Pubs are a crucial part of my constituency's economy and the national economy. There are 109 pubs in Mid Worcestershire, supplying 1,857 jobs and £23.7m in wages. In total, pubs in my constituency add £56.3m to the local economy. I have always been an advocate for the place of pubs in local British communities for their positive social benefits as well as these clear economic positives.
Through the Asset of Community Value scheme, communities can list facilities of local importance, including pubs. This means that if a pub owner wishes to sell, the community has six months to come up with a plan and funding in order to try to save it. I am glad that there are now around 2,000 pubs across England listed as assets of community value.
I am also pleased that the £3.6 million 'More than a Pub: The Community Business Support Programme', launched in March 2016, is helping to support communities across England to own their local pub. On top of this, the Government continues to support the work of the Pub is The Hub initiative to help landlords diversify and provide essential services, such as village shops and post offices, in order to improve the sustainability of their pub.
To further support pubs, the Chancellor's announced in the Autumn Budget 2017 a freeze on all alcohol duties for 2018, a decision which I welcomed. As I am sure you know, the Spring Budget 2017 also provided a £1,000 discount on business rates bills in 2017 for pubs with a rateable value of less than £100,000 - 90 per cent of pubs in England - and I was pleased to see this extended in the Autumn Budget for a further year, through to March 2019.
I will continue to advocate pubs as vital symbols of British life here in Parliament.
