AN MP has pledged his support for the Long Live the Local campaign to help pubs and breweries in Ceredigion recover and thrive.

Plaid Cymru's Ben Lake, representative of Ceredigion at the UK Parliament, joins over 125,000 people who have signed the petition so far, including 123 in Ceredigion alone.

Mr Lake is calling on the Government to lower VAT and business rates for pubs and for an overall reduction in beer duty.

The Covid pandemic has had a tough impact on brewers and pubs throughout the UK and continues to do so as the sector tries to kickstart its recovery.

According to some statistics a local pub can add as much as £100,000 to its local economy, as well as creating jobs and acting as a social hub.

It also boosts Britain’s world class brewing sector, a homegrown manufacturing success story that brews over 80 per cent of the beer we drink.

Brewing and pubs in Ceredigion supports 1446 jobs and contributes £31m to the local economy.

With £1 in every £3 pounds spent in UK pubs going to the taxman, it's thought British drinkers and pub goers are overtaxed which is hampering recovery.

Commenting on the campaign, Mr Lake said: “Pubs are at the heart of communities across Ceredigion, but with pubs bearing a disproportionate burden as a result of the pandemic the UK Government should consider cutting unfair taxes on pubs that are hampering their recovery.

"I’m supporting the Long Live the Local campaign and calling on the Chancellor to lower VAT and business rates for pubs and reduce beer duty overall at this year’s Budget to support the recovery of pubs.”

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association said: “Eighty-five per cent of pubs are based in community and rural areas, bringing jobs to the parts of the UK that need them most.

"They employ over 600,000 people, of which 43 per cent are under 25.

"Cutting business rates, VAT and an overall reduction in beer duty would go a long way to helping pubs and brewers across Ceredigion that are desperately trying to recover.

"We are very grateful to Mr Lake for their support for the Long Live the Local campaign, and hope that the Government listens to MPs across Parliament and the thousands of people across the country who are calling on the Chancellor to lower VAT and business rates for pubs and reduce beer duty overall.”