Pubs play an important role in the social and economic life of our nation, and The British Beer and Pub Association estimate that each pub contributes £80,000 each year to its local economy.

I am therefore pleased that the pub sector is being supported in a range of ways. Firstly, through the Asset of Community Value scheme, communities can list facilities of local importance, such as 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. 
 
New measures also ensure that tied pubs have rights under a statutory code with an independent adjudicator to resolve disputes. Many pubs have also benefited from the Government's package on business rates for small businesses. The Spring Budget provided a £1,000 discount on business rates bills in 2017 for 90 per cent of pubs.
 
There is also greater flexibility on weights and measures, allowing beer and wine to be sold in different sizes. It easier now for pubs to play live music and £350,000 has been provided for the Pub is The Hub initiative and the Plunkett Foundation to help landlords diversify and provide essential services such as village shops and post offices.

Finally, regarding the issue of taxation and its impact on local pubs, the beer duty escalator was removed in 2013 and the Government introduced an unprecedented freeze on beer duty, and it has risen by inflation only this year, in line with previous forecasts.