Pub bosses' anger at Darling's hike

Leading figures across the UK brewing and pub industries have reacted with weary resignation to the Budget.

Marston's chief executive Ralph Findlay said it was "disappointing" that Alistair Darling had chosen to stick with the duty escalator - with duty going up two per cent above inflation - "which will continue to do damage to pubs".

Findlay said the industry had hoped its case on duty had worked, but the Chancellor had a "good track record of misreading the impact of his policies on the sector".

Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame said the government had "lost all credibility" with the trade. "The Chancellor spoke of fairness and opportunity. Where's the fairness and opportunity in this increase?"

Despite its failure to press its case successfully, Neame said the industry should be pleased it had "made considerable progress in getting the message across to backbench MPs" on what needs to be done to help UK pubs. Plus the Tory party was shifting its view on the importance of beer, he said.

"We need to redouble our efforts to get rid of this shabby government," he added.

Michael Turner, chairman of London brewer and pub operator Fuller, Smith & Turner echoed the view that Darling has ignored the industry, "by continuing along this government's path of raising beer duty, regardless of the facts.

"The Chancellor already makes 50 times as much out of each pint sold as the brewer does and this further increase cannot be justified," he said.

Turner said 60,000 jobs were at risk over the next five years. "The pub industry is in urgent need of assistance," he added.