Readers' letters

Keep our pubs open
Cheap supermarket alcohol and high rents are partly to blame for pub closures, says a correspondentCheap supermarket alcohol and high rents are partly to blame for pub closures, says a correspondent
Cheap supermarket alcohol and high rents are partly to blame for pub closures, says a correspondent

Congratulations to CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), which has recently conducted a survey of 2,000 people asking them their thoughts on the continuing number of pub closures.

Their response clearly put the blame on cheap alcohol available from supermarkets, high rents and wholesale beer prices from pub companies, along with high taxation and VAT on beers imposed by the Government.

Their remarks echo

those published in MEP

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Paul Nuttall’s Last Orders book in UKIP’s Save the Pub Campaign.

The British pubs are an important part of our communities and when one closes, it is not only a loss to the regulars, it causes job loses and hardship to all who are affected within the communities. And with 21 currently closing each week, that represents thousands of jobs overall.

UKIP would recommend a Royal Commission to investigate pricing structures used by breweries through pubcos and, in particular, through their wholesale prices to supermarkets to establish what makes the costs higher to their tied houses.

We would take appropriate actions on the findings, as well as reducing any unnecessary EU-derived and UK regulations in order to ensure that our pubs thrive for the benefit of future generations.

Philip Griffiths,

North West President,

UKIP

(UK Independence Party)


health

A new era for Stroke

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I’m writing to thank the people of the North West for showing their support for people affected by stroke and signing our petition.

Our Government’s current stroke strategy is coming to an end and the Government has no plans to introduce a new one. Without this, lives could be at risk.

That’s why the Stroke Association is campaigning for a new National Stroke Strategy. It’s time for A New Era for Stroke, to ensure that when stroke strikes, survivors get the care and support they need to rebuild their lives.

Stroke survivors in the North West have told us they feel abandoned when they leave hospital and do not have access to the vital support they need to help with their recovery. We need your signature to make sure these voices are heard by the Government. We need just over 150 signatures per constituency before the Government will debate this issue in Parliament. Please sign the Stroke Association’s petition by visiting http://strk.org.uk/neweraforstroke.

Chris Larkin

Regional Director at the Stroke Association

transport

There’s too many cars

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My confession is I drive. I drive and yet I think there are too many cars on the roads.

And if it’s like this now, what will it be like in the future?

We are living longer, healthier lives. What if those of us who can, continue to clutch our driving licences until the age of 100? And if all the next generation and the next want their own cars too – will there be gridlock? Will we say goodbye to the last patch of countryside for yet another road? I have heard Jeremy Corbyn cycles rather than drives, and this is something I admire. Individuals’ circumstances are different – some need to drive for health reasons or for commuting long distances, but for others, like me, the car can be an option. I might not be able to give up my car but I could drive less often. Perhaps this could be a compromise for others too?

Jane via email