Defeat on alcohol duty "real blow" to pub industry-Farron

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 9th Jul 2009

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has slammed yesterdays defeat in the House of Commons on the vote to reduce duty on alcohol as "a real blow" to the pub industry.

Commenting Mr Farron said:

"This is a very disappointing result and a real blow to the pub industry. Increasing the beer duty will only lead to more community pubs losing customers and being forced to close down.

"In South Lakeland, our local pubs are at the heart of our communities. They are forced to compete against cheap supermarket drink, and now the Government are increasing their burden even more. I wanted the Government to reduce alcohol duty and it is a huge disappointment that most MPs voted to keep high levels of duty."

"It's time the Government started to listen to the voices of licensees and of our local communities"