A new report has estimated 1,047 additional pubs would have closed if the Government had not scrapped the beer duty escalator and cut beer duty in 2013 and 2014.
The new report, produced by the Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR), also estimates that 750m fewer pints would have been sold in the UK this financial year and 26,000 additional jobs would not have been created if the beer duty escalator had remained in place.
It adds that in 2014 alone, investment in the brewing industry was expected to stand at £61m higher than it would have if the beer duty escalator had been maintained, while the average price of a pint of beer, which currently stands at £3.04, would have cost £3.20.
Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) chief executive Tim Page said: “It is fantastic to see that the beer duty cuts have had a real impact on beer drinkers and pub goers across the country, beyond keeping the lid on the price of a pint and keeping pubs open.
“Without these measures fewer people would be able to afford a regular pint in their local pub, and yet more pubs would have closed. Reductions in beer tax have helped keep pubs open, created new jobs and kept increases in the cost of beer at a historic low.
“CAMRA is calling on the Chancellor to keep consumers in mind and cut beer duty for a third time next month. In addition, we would like to see brewers and pub companies pass on this cut in full so that pub-going remains an affordable activity.
“At a time when there is concern about the number of people drinking excessively at home, the importance of pubs as places where you can drink responsibly in a social and community setting cannot be overstated.”
Andrew Griffiths MP and chair of the Parliamentary Beer Group said: “The Chancellor has already shown his commitment to the beer and pub industries by scrapping the beer duty escalator and cutting beer duty for two years in a row for the first time ever.
“There is more still to be done, however, and I hope that the Chancellor will build on the positive moves so far and make it a hat trick of beer duty cuts in the Budget in March.”
