Siba: Chancellor driving people out of the pub

The Society of Independent Brewers (Siba) has described the budget increase as likely to drive more people out of pubs. Spokesman Michael Hardman said:

"This is yet another nail in the coffin of the traditional British pub. By imposing such a large increase on the already unfair and punitive levels of tax on beer, the Chancellor is driving more and more people out of the controlled environment of pubs and into off-licences and supermarkets, where they can buy cheap alcohol, often at less than cost price."

"We have launched a campaign calling on the Government to adopt policies to support pubs, practically the only place where you can buy local quality beers,which play little or no part in the current wave of disorder on Britain's streets. But the Government is clearly not in the mood to listen. "It is also baffling that cider continues to receive preferential treatment, with less than half the increase in duty compared to beer."

Meanwhile Arkell's brewery boss James Arkell said: " "We are very disappointed indeed at the Chancellor's heavy-handed approach and putting 4p on the cost of a pint of beer."

"All businesses have had to cope with vastly increased utility, wages and fuel costs. But more recently the brewery industry has also had the added burden of a more than 100% increase in raw materials: barley, wheat and sugar.

"Like all family breweries, Arkell's advocates responsible drinking, but local pubs are very often the absolute heart of a local community in rural areas, towns and on residential estates, providing a sense of belonging where little else sometimes exists. The Government has already signaled a death-knell to another essential community facility: the Post Office. Is it now going to do the same to the local pub?"