Last ditch plea for beer tax freeze
The Chancellor George Osborne will have plenty of British beer to help him think about a freeze on beer duty today — after a special delivery from beer trade body boss Brigid Simmonds.
The chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association delivered a basket of beers to the Treasury yesterday from around the Britain.
The beers delivered included Brains SA Gold from Wales, Deuchars IPA from Scotland, Golden Sheep from Yorkshire, and Whitstable Bay from Kent.
Osborne is set to unveil a 2% above inflation rise in duty (7%) with a lower duty rate on beer below 2.8% and a higher rate on those above 7.5%.
Also included in the beer basket was Manns Brown Ale at 2.8% abv and Fuller's Golden Pride at 7.5% abv.
"Beer is truly Britain's national drink," said Simmonds. "Of the beer enjoyed in Britain, 90 per cent is brewed here in Britain, often using natural, British ingredients.
"It's a drink that supports pubs and jobs, with almost one million of us dependent on the brewing and pub trade for work.
"A long and refreshing drink that's low in strength, beer is perfect for a gruelling stint at the dispatch box.
"It's something for Britain to be proud of, so it's time a Chancellor enjoyed beer in the chamber — where he ought to announce a freeze in Beer Tax."
Lib Dem MP and Save the Pub Group chair Greg Mulholland added: "It is important that if this Government wishes to be seen to be a pro pub Government, that it finds a way to recognise the contribution that beer and pubs make to the British Economy in tomorrow's budget.
"Raising beer duty year on year in the form of the beer duty escalator is a lazy and ill-considered policy that damages pubs and brewers and doesn't actually yield the revenues predicted because of that.
"Even in these difficult economic times, the Government should break with this flawed policy which is a remnant of a Prime Minister and Chancellor who cared little for beer and pubs."
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