Eppur si muove

Mr Sutcliffe : “We, and I speak as a champion of the pub trade, want the Chancellor to change his mind. We’ve had examples like the fuel levy where the impact on a sector has been massive – and the decision has been deferred. I’m not saying that will happen, but that’s where the trade needs to focus the basis of its argument. The next opportunity will be the preBudget report in November. But the industry has seriously got to get its act together in working out what its priorities are.”

After being shown the instruments of torture in Downing Street and the Treasury, who now believe there is no need to take the matter further, Mr Sutcliffe added:

“I fully support the tax measures in the Budget, and the Chancellor’s decisions on tax. Alcohol duty increases will go towards helping some of the poorest members of our society.”