The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has today responded to a decision by Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL), which will see the tariff on the Specially Featured Entertainment (SFE) licence increase by 130% on average. The SFE licence is used by pubs, nightclubs, cafés and hotels who feature DJs and dancefloors. Commenting on the decision by PPL, Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “We are extremely disappointed by PPL’s decision to raise the tariff on the SFE licence by 130% on average. “The night time economy is vital to the future of our high streets, but businesses that are crucial to that night time offer like pubs are already struggling, with on average three pubs a day closing their doors for good. This decision will be another big blow to hospitality businesses that are struggling to survive. “For the past 18 months we have been in discussions with PPL and have highlighted how the changes proposed to the tariff would be disproportionate and unwarranted. Whilst PPL have addressed some of these points, our fundamental concern is that increases by 130% on average, and in some cases much more, are not sustainable. “The SFE tariff has consistently grown already through annual RPI increases, which is an increasingly discredited inflation index and is consistently a percentage point above CPI. As a result, those who have been paying SFE licences over the years have already been paying more than their fair share. “We will consult with our members and the wider hospitality industry in more detail on these unreasonable increases. Copyright charges are established by law, but average increases of 130% that undermine the viability of pubs, clubs and the night time economy are not justifiable.”
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has today responded to a report from the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Select Committee on the Government’s Industrial Strategy and various sector deals, including the hospitality sector. The report said that having struck sector deals with various business segments already off the back of the Industrial Strategy, the Government must do more to work with British business that haven’t yet had specific sector deals, such as hospitality and retail. Commenting on the report, Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “We welcome this BEIS Select Committee report on the Government’s Industrial Strategy and Sector Deals, which highlights the importance of the hospitality sector to the UK. “The British brewing and pub sector is central to the hospitality offer of the UK, but it is struggling with issues ranging from high taxation through beer duty and business rates, to issues over staff recruitment and retention, particularly as the UK prepares to leave the EU. We would therefore welcome any additional support the Government could give hospitality businesses like pubs through a specific sector deal. “It is important to note that the Government has committed in principle to a Sector Deal for Tourism, which we have already welcomed as a huge boost to pubs and the wider hospitality sector after putting in a lot of hard work to secure it. “Pubs are third on the list of things to do for overseas visitors to the UK; over half visit a pub whilst they are here. Ensuring Britain’s tourism offer remains competitive through a sector deal is therefore good news for pubs and hospitality. “As we prepare to leave the European Union, we must also concentrate on making pubs and hospitality a career choice employees relish. Recruitment and retention are vital when as it stands 24% of pub employees come from overseas. This can rise to over 80% in metropolitan areas. The Sector Deal for Tourism would enable us to encourage more UK nationals join our industry, enhance our apprenticeship offer and train and retain our existing workforce.”
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has today responded to the 2019 Spring Statement. Brigid Simmonds, Chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, commented: “Despite being light on detail, there was some encouraging news for brewers and pubs in the Spring statement. “Bringing forward reforms to apprenticeship schemes worth £700million to April - including increased ability to transfer apprenticeship funding into the supply chain and reduce the co-investment rate to 5% - is a welcome move for pubs, brewers and the hospitality sector as a whole. These sectors have seen the number of apprentices soar in recent years, with 165,000 people starting apprenticeships in hospitality and catering between 2013 and 2018. It will also help companies operating in the leased and tenanted pub sector who could not use their apprenticeship levy in pubs that they own, but where they are not the individual employer. “A review of international evidence of minimum wage rates was announced alongside a roundtable, which will be chaired by the Chancellor himself with a view to improving productivity. It is imperative that this also looks at minimum wage enforcement and the current lack of industry guidance which is penalising responsible operators. “The Chancellor reiterated his commitment to consulting with industry on the Migration Bill, promising to work with business to ensure the new system “supports the needs of the economy”. This is vital for the hospitality and pub sector and so is most welcome. “Pubs are at the heart of the high street offer, giving them vitality and character. We therefore welcome the proposed consultation exploring how local areas can make better use of planning tools to support their high streets. “With the number of pubs falling in the UK due to planned increases to beer duty – which are linked to RPI – we have called consistently for RPI to be switched to CPI when measuring inflation. The Chancellor made clear that the Government would respond to the House of Lords’ Economic Affairs Committee report, which also recommended the switch. “The OBR expects economic growth and job growth to continue and as one of Britain’s leading sectors, brewing and pubs continue to play a key role in driving these. If there is to be any “deal dividend” from Brexit, then it should be used to help important UK businesses like pubs and brewers, as well as pub goers. For example, a cut in beer tax and reform of the business rates system which currently unfairly penalises pubs.”
We champion issues that matter to the beer and pub industry. These are causes our members are passionate about; whether it's promoting beer as the nation’s drink, or campaigning against increases to beer duty and businesses rates that are so damaging to community pubs.