Beer tax case put to Treasury
Industry leaders have been given the chance to press for changes to duty levels in a series of Westminster meetings.
Brewers, trade chiefs and the health lobby were among those called to discuss alcohol tax with Treasury officials over the last few weeks.
The meetings follow a pledge by Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne in the emergency Budget to review duty levels.
Groups such as the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) and CAMRA used the meetings and workshops to press the case for lowering duty on low ABV drinks such as beer.
A BBPA spokesman said: "These were positive discussions with the Treasury very much in listening mode. With the debate focusing on responsible consumption, we put the case strongly for beer and the need to rebalance the duty system towards lower strength products."
Sessions were held for wine and spirits producers, brewers, retailers and health campaigners.
Nick Bish, chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, also attended.
He said: "I think the Treasury has been given the job of seeing if alcohol tax can be used for the social and health objectives as set out by the coalition government. It is a case of raising revenue, since that is its job."
In June's Budget Osborne left duty levels alone, bar reversing the previous administration's 10 per cent cider duty hike.
He pledged to review duty in the autumn as part of the government's examination of the causes of binge-drinking. Last week's workshops were part of that process.
