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Pubs in England and Wales will be allowed to continue serving takeaway pints after the government decided to keep COVID licensing rules.
Pubs were given permission to serve customers through hatches when they were forced to close during lockdown restrictions in 2020.
Those rules were due to expire at the end of next month, but Sky News understands the decision was reversed after Rishi Sunak intervened on the matter.
The news was first reported on by The Sun newspaper but Rishi Sunak later confirmed the decision on x, formerly Twitter.
He said: “I’ve heard the British pub industry loud and clear – takeaway pints are a boost for their businesses and our economy.”
The decision means pubs will no longer need to apply for permission from their local council if they want to continue selling takeaway alcohol.
The Home Office said councils, drinks retailers and residents’ groups had preferred a return to pre-COVID rules in justifying their initial decision.
Rishi Sunak during a visit to the Great British Beer Festival at Olympia
However, industry representatives said the decision would create more “unnecessary regulation” with no guarantee councils will approve applications for licence changes for individual premises.
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) welcomed the latest development as “common sense prevailing”.
NTIA’s CEO, Michael Kill, said the decision “provides essential relief” to pub owners who depend on off-sales.
He urged the government to “maintain a similar approach in addressing ongoing challenges faced by the sector”.
Pubs have been struggling to recover from the pandemic amid a rise in energy prices.
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Sunak heckled while pulling pint
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The boost for business comes after Mr Sunak, who is teetotal, was heckled as he toured a London beer festival to mark alcohol duty reforms which he claimed are “backing British pubs”.
The new system means alcohol will be taxed on strength rather than the previous categories of wine, beer, spirits and ciders.
It means some drinks, such as wine and gin, will be more expensive – though ministers say a so-called “Brexit pubs guarantee” will keep the levy on draught beer and cider up to 11p lower than shop-bought booze.
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