Boris Johnson suggests pints could be much cheaper when pubs reopen

Pubs, clubs and bars hope to reopen by June 21st

Pints could be much cheaper when pubs reopen after lockdown, as hinted at by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Johnson is rumoured to be considering a range of measures to help the hospitality industry, which has been decimated by the coronavirus pandemic. One of the measures being discussed involves cutting the amount of tax paid on alcohol by pubs and bars. Supermarket drinks would instead face a minor tax hike to redress the balance. When asked about the likelihood of this occurring during Wednesday's Prime Minister's Questions session, Johnson said a review was ongoing. He said: "This is an extremely good point which I'm sure will be heard with great interest around the country. "There is such a review being carried out after consulting owners and brewers, and I know that the Chancellor is looking very closely at the findings." https://twitter.com/PoliticsJOE_UK/status/1363889383141740550?s=20 On Monday, Johnson outlined his roadmap out of lockdown to the House of Commons. Here it is in full:

STEP ONE

March 8th People still legally required to stay at home Schools to reopen in full Recreation with household or one other person outside allowed 30 people allowed at funerals, 6 allowed at weddings or wakes March 29th Stay at home order reneged, but people advised to remain local. No holidays allowed Meetings of either six people or two households permitted outside Outdoor sport and leisure facilities allowed to reopen (tennis courts, golf courses) Organised outdoor sport allowed for children and adults Outdoor parent and child groups (up to 15 parents) allowed

STEP TWO

No earlier than April 12th Indoor leisure - including gyms - open for use individually or for household groups Rule of six or two households allowed to mix outside, not inside Outdoor attractions - zoos, theme parks and drive-in cinemas - can reopen Libraries and community centres reopen Barbers, hairdressers and nail salons can reopen All retail can reopen Outdoor hospitality can reopen Domestic overnight stays allowed (household only) Minimised travel advised, no international holiday Event pilots will begin

STEP THREE

No earlier than May 17th Indoor entertainment and attractions allowed 30 person limit outdoors Rule of six or two households indoors allowed Domestic stays overnight allowed Organised indoor adult sport can resume Some large events will begin again, with 1,000 or 50% capacity indoors, and 4,000 or 50% capacity outdoors Outdoor seated events allowed 10,000 or 25% of capacity - this includes professional sport International travel allowed subject to review

STEP FOUR

No earlier than June 21st No legal limits on social contact Nightclubs can reopen Larger events return No legal limit on all life events, such as weddings, wakes and funerals All of these steps are contingent, said the prime minister on the UK passing four key tests, and they are as follows: That the UK's vaccine deployment programme continues to be a success That evidence shows jabs are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations, deaths and transmissions in vaccinated people That the NHS is not put under unsustainable pressure from a surge in infections and hospitalisations That the government's view of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new coronavirus variants