The chief executives of the Campaign for Real Ale, Society of Independent Brewers and the British Beer & Pub Association are to jointly call on MPs to support a 1p beer duty cut in March’s budget.
Early Day Motion 919 has been tabled by Nigel Evans MP, and already has the support of 24 MPs from five different parties in Parliament.
The EDM highlights the 19,000 boost in employment generated by three, one penny duty cuts in the Chancellor’s last three Budgets, as well as £1bn in investment. Further cuts would secure jobs and lower the cost of living, the EDM says.
The BBPA, SIBA and CAMRA have also sent MPs a new edition of “The Beer Story – Facts on tap”, which highlights the key reasons why the industry needs further duty cuts in the Budget.
Brigid Simmonds, BBPA chief executive, said: “Strong support from MPs always gives a real boost to our campaign - we have built a very strong case for further duty cuts to boost employment and protect pubs, as the industry still faces big pressures. I hope MPs will support EDM 919 this year.”
Mike Benner, managing director of SIBA, said: “Three consecutive duty cuts have led to increased investment across the independent brewing sector creating new jobs and providing support for important local small businesses across the country. I hope the Chancellor will continue to drive this much needed momentum with a further duty cut in March.”
Tim Page, chief executive, CAMRA, said: “The ending of the beer duty escalator and three consecutive beer duty cuts have kept pubs open and kept the price of a pub pint down. The Centre for Economic and Business Research (Cebr) calculated that these changes have saved more than 1,000 pubs from closure benefiting pub goers and communities throughout the UK. Britain’s 15 million regular pub goers will be hoping for a fourth beer duty cut in March’s Budget.”
