In response to the announcement from the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, Emma McClarkin, CEO of British Beer and Pub Association, said: 

 “The revised estimates for glass are an extremely worrying step in the wrong direction.

"Government must be clear-eyed that these proposed higher additional costs on brewers would land an extra £160m or 5p per glass bottle on the sector. This could force some brewers to leave the glass bottle market.

“Given the incredibly narrow margins UK brewers operate to, as they make an average of 2p per bottle of beer, this means they’ll be forced to pass on extra painful costs to the consumer if they want to carry on making their product.

“The sector is, of course, committed to a more circular economy and sustainable packaging solutions, but it is critical that Government properly considers the full impact of these fees and wider packaging reforms on our industry which will severely diminish growth and risk jobs.

“We urge them to continue to review these fees and ensure they are fairer and more sustainable, so we can continue to play a critical role for the UK’s economy and employment.”