Industry figures call for beer duty freeze in open letter to Osborne

On behalf of businesses and employees in the beer and pub supply chain, twelve signatories – including the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), Association of Licensing Multiple Retailers (ALMR), and the Publican’s Morning Advertiser’s​ editor Rob Willock – have written to the Chancellor to ask the Treasury to continue its support for the sector ahead of the 2014 Budget on 19 March.

The letter cites previous research from Oxford Economics, which states that the beer and pub industry employs and supports over 900.000 people, pays out around £9bn in wages that support local communities and adds £22bn to the UK economy.

Boost​

The plea also states that the decisions made in the 2013 Budget – notably the historic cut in beer duty - have provided “a real boost” for brewers and pubs and the business that supply them, including agricultural producers, maltsters, packaging manufacturers and marketing agencies.

“In order for the full effect of the 2013 Budget changes to be felt the industry needs continued support, to alleviate the damaged done by the 42% increase in beer duty between 2008 and 2012,” it states.

The letter reads, in full:​

Re: Beer, pubs and the 2014 Budget

To Rt Hon George Osborne,

On behalf of the businesses and those employed in the beer and pub supply chain, we are writing to ask for the Treasury to continue its support for this sector at the 2014 Budget following last year's historic and popular cut in beer duty.

In total the beer and pub industry, according to a study by Oxford Economics, employs and supports over 900,000 people, paying out around £9 billion in wages that supports the local community. It adds £22 billion to the UK economy. And, almost uniquely in the UK economy, it makes a positive influence in every area of the country.

The decisions you made in the 2013 Budget have provided a real boost for brewers and pubs, and the wide array of businesses that supply them. This ranges from agricultural producers, such as barley and hop growers and those that supply to the pub food market, the maltsters that prepare the raw ingredients for the brewing process, the packaging manufacturers, the creative agencies that market the beer, the logistics providers that deliver the beer to the pub, and onto the technicians that ensure the beer can be poured in perfect condition. It's an extraordinarily diverse and predominantly home-grown supply chain creating thousands of jobs around the country.

In order for the full effect of the 2013 Budget changes to be felt the industry needs continued support, to alleviate the damaged done by the 42 per cent increase in beer duty between 2008 and 2012. To support all of the businesses and employees that rely upon beer and pubs we therefore call on you to put on freeze any further increases in duty and look at further ways to support this valuable sector in your 2014 Budget. This will deliver growth, support employment and ultimately allow consumers to continue to enjoy an affordable pint in the pub.

Signatories:​

Brigid Simmonds
BBPA

Kate Nicholls   
Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR

Nick Mullen       
Beverage Can Makers Europe (BCME)

Mike Bracey      
Brewery Logistics Group (BLG)

Ruth Evans      
Brewing, Food & Beverage Suppliers' Association (BFBI)

Tim Hulme         
BII

Geoff Thompson 
British Hop Association (BHA)

George Dawson  
Working Men’s Club and Institute Union (CIU)

Martin Caffrey 
Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations (FLVA)

Colin West    
Maltsters Association of Great Britain (MAGB)

Rob Willock        
Publican’s Morning Advertiser

Meurig Raymond            
National Farmers Union (NFU)

Julian Grocock  
Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA)