The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) identified how crucial it was for the sector to present a united front to keep pubs and beer in the minds of politicians following next month’s general election.
BBPA director of public affairs David Wilson, speaking at the Beer Innovation Summit, hosted by the PMA, said: “I think the challenge is to put beer and pubs on the election agenda and keep it there. It’s an opportunity for all of us to demonstrate £22bn worth of economic value that the industry brings to our economy and the fact that we, as an industry, support more than 900,000 jobs.”
Wilson said the past five years had been “eventful”, but the coalition Government had proved itself to be “pub-friendly” with a hat-trick of beer duty cuts, support for pubs on business rates and employment costs, as well planning reform.
“We have, as an industry, been speaking with one voice and made some significant changes. I believe that we can communicate the revitalisation of the beer and pub sector. We have ended the beer duty escalator; we’ve seen historic reductions too, but there is still a lot to do. We need to make sure that the new MPs are fully aware of the importance and significance of our industry.”
Wilson said a number of “beer champion” MPs were contesting marginal seats, including current community pubs minister Kris Hopkins. Regardless of the outcome of the election, he called on the next government to retain the pubs ministry because it had proved a key role for the sector in Whitehall.
