The MP for Ealing Central and Acton has urged the Chancellor to keep “valued pubs” in Ealing afloat in the Autumn Budget by providing further support.

Rupa Huq was one of 50 MPs to join the Keep Pubs Afloat campaign, calling on the Chancellor to consider introducing an annual £5,000 business rate relief for English pubs.

On top of this, the Labour MP called for a freeze in beer duty for the rest of this Parliament.

Ms Huq said that pubs in Ealing and Acton “need all the help they can get” from Chancellor Philip Hammond in the upcoming Budget.

“Pubs are a force for good in Ealing Central, Acton and across the UK,” she said.

“They are at the heart of our communities and the local economy – even a teetotaller like me knows that.

Rupa Huq MP is campaigning for pubs in England

“But pubs are struggling under the weight of a growing tax burden, with each paying nearly £140,000 on average in tax every year.

“In Ealing Central & Acton, we have two breweries, 50 pubs and the industry supports over 1,280 jobs.

“These establishments need all the help they can get, which is why I'm asking the Chancellor to do whatever he can to support them in the Autumn budget .”

Rupa Huq MP has called for a freeze in beer duty for the rest of this Parliament.

Reviews of business rates across England mean many pubs are being hit with a new financial burden.

In some cases, this could only be covered by them selling thousands of extra pints of beer every year.

The government introduced a one-off £1,000 discount scheme for some pubs in the latest Budget, but according to Ms Huq, “more action is needed to keep pubs afloat”.

The Labour MP is hoping the Chancellor will support pubs in the Autumn Budget

She said: “The £1,000 business rates relief introduced this year has been a lifeline for many pubs, but it's clear that this is not enough to secure the long-term future of our valued pubs.

“I urge the Chancellor to go further and show more support for this important industry.”

Taxes now make up a third of the cost of a pint, and UK beer duty is among the highest in Europe.

Recent research carried out by YouGov for CAMRA found that 55% of people questionned believe beer duty is too high at 54p per pint.

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