BBPA

Commenting on the freeze in beer duty and business rates support for pubs announced in today’s Budget, BBPA Chief Executive Brigid Simmonds said: “This freeze means that beer duty is now 17 per cent lower than it would have been, had the Chancellor stuck with the escalator policy.

“To achieve three cuts and a freeze from the Chancellor over four Budgets, shows a real commitment and concern for both brewing, an important manufacturing industry, and our nation’s pubs.  Beer is already 20p cheaper in pubs than it would have been under the escalator and the industry has the confidence to invest.

SIBA

“It’s very good news for the UK’s independent craft brewers that the Chancellor has frozen beer duty. The end of the duty escalator and three cuts in beer duty since 2013 have helped to revitalise British beer and around 300 new craft breweries have opened since 2013 bringing thousands of new local beers for consumers to enjoy. Our members are typically confident about the future of their businesses and this move will help reinforce that and encourage greater investment.” Mike Benner, SIBA Managing Director

CAMRA

The Chancellor’s decision not to cut beer tax is a missed opportunity, according to CAMRA. By failing to cut beer tax for a fourth year in a row, the Chancellor has missed an opportunity to support the ongoing revival of brewing in the UK.

CAMRA had been pushing for a cut in beer tax which would have prompted additional investment in the industry, protected jobs and importantly, supported stable prices for customers.

CAMRA Chief Executive, Tim Page, said: “A freeze in beer tax is an opportunity missed to back the continued revival of brewing in the UK. With UK drinkers paying the second highest rate of beer duty in Europe, a beer tax cut was needed to keep pubs open, boost the brewing sector and to keep the cost of a pint stable.”