Price of a pint could rise 20p, says CAMRA

CAMRA has warned that the price of a pint could rise by 20p after today's Budget and close "many more valued community pubs".

The consumer group also branded the announcement, a five per cent duty hike on beer, wine and spirits, as a "charter" for irresponsible supermarkets that loss lead on alcohol.

The official Budget report said the rises would mean 2p on a pint of beer, 10p on a bottle of wine and 36p on a bottle of spirits.

Mike Benner, CAMRA's chief executive, said: "CAMRA is totally at a loss in understanding how a government that recognises the community value of pubs can impose such consistently draconian beer duty increases.

"Today's duty increase has stamped down on the survival hopes of community pubs across the UK."

The consumer group also called for government action to support and protect small cider producers, after the announcemnt of a 10 per cent above inflation hike on cider.

"Htting small real cider producers with this hike will cause irreparable damage to one of the nation's most historic craft industries," said Benner.

Meanwhile, London brewer Fuller's said the Chancellor had "defied logic" by placing more tax on "one of the country's most valuable industries".

Chairman Michael Turner said: "This ill-advised policy will benefit no-one, as the consumer will pay more and the Treasury will receive less revenue from tax as a result.

"The last thing we need at this crucial time is more tax, which places beer and pubs at an even greater competitive disadvantage.

"British beer and the British pub are icons of this island and they are in desperate need of support from our politicians, whatever their political leaning.

"My hope now is that whoever holds the red box at the next budget will actually listen to the industry and the public at large and put an end to this destructive policy."