I hope that we can ensure that we find ways to protect these historical industries

Nigel Evans, Member of Parliament for the Ribble Valley and Vice Chair of the All Party Beer Group, has today welcomed the fact that five Government Ministers have accepted the All Party Group’s invitation to attend an unprecedented joint meeting to find ways to bring urgently-needed help to the country’s struggling pubs, following publication of the latest disastrous closure figures from the industry.

Last October, following a three-year investigation, the All-Party Group published a Report on the mounting difficulties facing Britain’s struggling community pubs, which called on Government departments to act to save the thousands of locals struggling to maintain the invaluable local services they provide.

While the Government’s collective response to that report is awaited, the Group has invited ministers from the Department of Health, the Home Office, the Treasury, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, and the Department for Communities and local Government to attend a joint meeting to consider the challenge now and to address it. The Rt Hon Dawn Primarolo MP, Alan Campbell MP, Angela Eagle MP, Gerry Sutcliffe MP and The Rt Hon John Healey MP have all agreed to do so.

Mr Evans commented,

“This marks a real step forward and an acceptance by the Government that there is a serious issue that must be addressed.

“When the report was published in October, 36 pubs a week were closing and that figure has already risen. We must act to save the Great British Pub and the Government must consider the range of issues that are affecting the pub and brewing industries.

“I am very pleased indeed that this “Pub Summit” will take place and I hope that we can ensure that we find ways to protect these historical industries and allow them to flourish.”



The Community Pub Inquiry Report and appendices may be found at www.communitypubinquiry.co.uk