Two trade groups have urged the Government to scrap its controversial duty escalator on alcohol.
The British Beer and Pub Association said scrapping the 2% above inflation rise in duty set for March could save over 10,000 jobs and generate an extra £40m in tax revenue.
If the Government does go ahead with the duty escalator could lead to a 7% rise — around 5p a pint — on the back of a VAT increase.
Tax on beer has risen 26% in just three years.
"The Government says it wants a Budget for growth — and pub friendly policies," said BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds.
"It's time to turn words into action. No sector is more in need of a Budget for growth than the UK hospitality trade.
"We are ready, willing, and able to create jobs and help lead the country out of recession — but we do need the right tax policies from the Government."
Abandon
Meanwhile, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association also callled for a scrapping of the escalator after the wine market fell 2% in 2010.
"With the recent VAT increase adding to the weekly shopping bill, it's no time to force drinks prices up further with another inflation busting tax increase," said WSTA chief executive Jeremy Beadles.
"The scale of tax rises on wine and spirits in recent years has cost thousands of jobs and made matters worse for households struggling to cope in difficult economic circumstances.
"Abandoning the tax escalator would help hard-pressed consumers and a sector which ought to be part of the drive to restore economic growth in the UK."
Differentiation
Global brewer SAB Miller has called for a lower duty rate on low strength drinks such as beer.
"We propose that the alcohol duty regime is rebalanced to differentiate between the consumption of higher and lower strength alcohol products," said Kristin Wolfe, head of alcohol policy at SABMiller.
"The aim should be to nudge consumers towards lower strength products, such as beer.
"This will help protect jobs, support important domestic businesses and reflect the higher risks associated with higher-strength categories of products."
She said the policy was used in other European countries such as France.
The Morning Advertiser is running its own campaign "Thrive on Five" to reduce VAT to 5% for the hospitality sector.