2023 May 24

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly 19-22 May 2023 Spring Session took place at the European Convention Centre Luxembourg. The delegation met with our Ambassador Fleur Thomas who briefed us on the background and the issues in the country. Nearly 44% of the population have come from outside Luxembourg. The local standing communities are the Portuguese and

On Wednesday 24 May 2023 the House of Commons considered Lords amendments to the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill.

Thank you for contacting me about tax on beer and pubs. I appreciate the importance of this issue. Pubs are a vital part of our high streets and social fabric in communities throughout the country and play an important role in our national economy. Yet they have been hit hard, first by COVID-19 and now by the energy and economic crises. Even before the pandemic, they were under severe threat, with a 15% fall in their number from 2010 to 2020. I note the proposed reforms on beer and cider duty, VAT and business rates put forward by organisations such as CAMRA and Long Live the Local. On beer duty, as you will know, the Government has proposed reforms to alcohol duties from 1 August that will reduce rates on draught beer, as well as some lower strength beers. It has also reinstated a previously cancelled freeze in alcohol duty, until new rates are introduced in August. On VAT, the Government has said it has no plans to reintroduce a reduced rate for hospitality.