Sutcliffe sparks hike controversy
MA interview hits national headlines
The damaging impact of alcohol-duty hikes on pubs has been thrust into the media spotlight after controversial comments by licensing minister Gerry Sutcliffe to the MA.
Sutcliffe said the Chancellor might rethink automatic duty rises if industry lobbying "gets its act together".
He said the industry is "right to be upset" by the increases.
The ensuing media storm led to a retraction from Sutcliffe, who said in a statement: "My comments do not accurately reflect my views.
"I fully support the tax measures in the Budget, and the Chancellor's decisions on tax."
Shadow Treasury Minister Justine Greening said: "The Morning Advertiser did a great job of bringing this story to national attention.
"One of the amazing things it reveals is that the licensing minister was not even consulted by Alistair Darling before he made his Budget announcement.
"That means Darling could not possibly have understood the impact of his decision on the pub trade.
"This is a Government that doesn't even consult its ministers, never mind the pub industry, which provides so many jobs."
Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers chief executive Nick Bish said: "Gerry Sutcliffe's comments are a breath of fresh air from a Government that appears intent on seeing the demise of the British pub."
JW Lees joins MA protest against 'unreasonable' tax
Chancellor Alistair Darling has been banned from JW Lees' managed pubs.
Posters advertising the ban are being sent to the Manchester brewer's 29 managed sites.
Its 143 tenanted pubs are also encouraged to join in.
The poster slams Darling for raising beer duty to the highest level in Europe.
It says that for every pint of JW Lees bitter sold at the recommended retail price of £1.92, 34p is paid in duty and another 29p in VAT.
JW Lees is also urging its licensees to display the MA's "Donkey Darling" posters.
A letter to JW Lees licensees from MD William Lees-Jones said: "We urge you to make a stand against this unreasonable tax."
