South Basildon MP James McMurdock has spoken in Parliament, calling on the Government to take urgent action to support local pubs and family-run breweries.

During a debate, Mr McMurdock addressed the devastating effects of increasing tax burdens on the hospitality industry, particularly local pubs in his constituency, and called for policy changes to preserve these vital community hubs.

He expressed deep concern over the continuing closures of pubs across the country, highlighting the impact in his own constituency where only 23 pubs remain.

He cited the example of The Barge, a 200-year-old pub that recently closed, adding that “It is now gone and it will not come back.” 

He warned that further tax increases would drive more closures and reduce revenue for the Treasury rather than increasing it.

Mr McMurdock said: "In South Basildon and East Thurrock, those 23 remaining pubs generate over £33 million in revenue, of which £10 million goes to the Treasury in taxes. If the Government continues to burden them, these pubs will close, and the Treasury will ultimately receive less."

Mr McMurdock also raised concerns about the unintended consequences of policies such as minimum pricing, warning that they could lead to worse public health outcomes by pushing drinking and smoking into unregulated spaces. He urged the Minister to carefully consider the balance between taxation and public safety.

In his closing remarks, Mr McMurdock made a rallying call to save local pubs, stating: "We must be mindful of the dangers of unintentionally worsening the situation for both tax revenues and public health. Save our local pubs."