SIBA’s manifesto sets out four key areas: supporting local brewers; backing community pubs; making beer tax work and maintaining and extending Small Breweries’ Relief. PPCs are being encouraged to sign up to the manifesto via a dedicated website.
The manifesto highlights the contribution of independent brewers to their local economy, and cites that for every job created in brewing, a further 18 are created in pubs and three in supply industries such as agriculture.
It also points to the benefits of the cuts in beer duty in 2013 and 2014, which gave Britain’s independent brewers the confidence to invest in their businesses and helped to keep down the cost of a pint, while also increasing beer duty receipts to the Exchequer.
SIBA has called for fiscal support through the life of the next Parliament, to ensure British beer continues to thrive, and has asked for Small Breweries’ Relief to be extended so that more can benefit and invest the relief in building their business.
Growth of brewing sector
Mike Benner, SIBA managing director, said: “The growth of the British brewing sector means there is now at least one brewery in almost every constituency in the country, bringing investment and jobs to the area, creating great beers and supporting local pubs.
“We are urging parliamentary candidates to back our manifesto and show support for our national drink and a great British manufacturing industry, which, with the right support from government, will continue to contribute to wealth and employment across the country.”
SIBA is hosting a reception for local PPCs on Thursday 19 March at its BeerX celebration of British beer in Sheffield.