Beer and pub sector, jobs, and communities are at risk without vital support in the Budget
Published on: 25th Sep 2024
Beer and pub sector, jobs, and communities are at risk without vital support in the Budget
In response to reports about the Chancellor's proposed plans to increase alcohol tax, Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, said:
“Rachel Reeves’ plan to hike beer duty will be a bitter blow for our nation’s brewers, pubs and beer drinkers.
“After the Chancellor’s pre-election promise of a Five Point Plan for Pubs, it is impossible to see how this will be fulfilled if the price of a pint is increased by the Government.
“The cost of doing business has soared in recent years and, with potentially new punishing burdens, this tax increase is the last thing pubs and beer drinkers need. It makes it all the more vital that the Chancellor maintains the 75% business rates relief.
“Anything less will be a total betrayal of the great British pub that this government promised to protect, and the one million jobs that depend on them.”