The film ‘The Beer Story - Calling Time on Duty’ highlights the vital role the brewing and pub industry plays in the economic and social life of Britain, and includes interviews with a host of people who make this £19 billion industry such a key part of the economy – in every part of Britain.
In the 10-minute film, presenter and beer expert Marverine Cole goes on a journey round the country, visiting pubs and breweries and talking to those who make the industry work.
Speaking at the launch earlier today Brigid Simmonds chief executive of the BBPA said she hopes for the film to “go viral”.
“This is a first for the BBPA, the first time that there is a film as part of our Budget submission,” she said. “We hope it will go viral in the new Parliament.
"There are many other things in our Budget submission, I don’t want you to think that it is only about this.
“I do think that the beer duty escalator – the £35m that the Chancellor thinks he is going to get, which will of course will be decreased because consumption has gone down by 22% since 2008, just as at the same time that beer duty has gone up by 42% - is going to get less VAT and we really could make that up through jobs.
“There are huge dividends in terms of jobs, there’s much needed investment and the industry is looking to grow. We are leading the way and could lead the way, in this country, out of the recession.
“The end of the beer duty escalator will kick-start growth to our British beer and to our pub industry.”
Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, MP Andrew Griffiths added: “I think this is a fantastic initiative on behalf of Britain’s pubs and brewers. I think this is a campaign that has some momentum.”