[Margaret Pilkington]

While I take on board what you say Ken, the rate of tax must also have some impact on the price of beer.

If we want the pub trade to continue then there has to be some action to improve the viability for landlords...whether that be a reduction in the rate of tax(very unlikely) or a relaxation in the rules about smoking in public houses(equally unlikely)...and the government really aren't interested in whether the breweries screw the publican...but maybe they will be when pubs cease to exist.