All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group chairman Andrew Griffiths MP has tabled an early day motion (EDM) calling for a review of the economic and social impact of the beer duty escalator before the 2013 Budget, writes Adam Pescod.
It comes a week after MPs voted unanimously in favour of a review in a House of Commons debate on the issue.
However, the Treasury has since said the debate that it has “no plans” to review the escalator , which has led to a 42% increase in beer duty since its introduction in 2008.
Early day motion 703 states: “That this House notes the resolution of 1 November 2012 on the beer duty escalator welcoming the essential contribution of brewing and pubs to the UK’s economy in providing one million jobs, noting the 42 per cent increase in beer duty since 2008 and HM Treasury forecasts that have shown that there will be no additional revenue generated from beer duty despite planned increases over the next two years, expressing concern about the effectiveness of this policy in tackling the Budget deficit, its impact on valued community pubs and the continued affordability of beer in pubs and urging the Government to support the UK’s beer and pub sector by conducting a thorough review of the economic and social impact of the beer duty escalator to report back before the 2013 Budget.”
The EDM has eight signatures so far and can be viewed at www.parliament.uk/edm/2012-13/703
Chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association Brigid Simmonds said: "MPs who care about our industry are rightly keeping up the pressure, and we will be asking all MPs to show their support.
"Parliament was unanimous in calling for a review, for good reasons. The escalator is not raising additional revenues, but is having a devastating effect on brewing pubs, and jobs. Treasury Ministers must hear the growing calls for change."
