BBPA plea to next Government

18-Nov-2019 - Last updated on 18-Nov-2019 at 10:01 GMT

Urgent needs: BBPA publishes its key requirements of the next Government to help the sector

Related tags British beer & pub association Government

With the general election looming, the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has published a manifesto for beer and pubs to help push the next Government towards a future that will benefit the industry.

British brewing is a world-class manufacturing sector and more than 80% of Britain’s 48,000 pubs are run as individual small businesses, but they face major challenges – the manifesto claims.

This includes a pending tax burden that requires one in every three pounds spent in pubs to go to the taxman.

Way of life

BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “Pubs and brewing are not only vital to the UK economy, but to our culture and way of life as well.

“The next Government must recognise this and work to create an environment in which they can thrive.”

The manifesto therefore urges the new Government to commit to backing the 200,000-plus supporters of the Long Live the Local campaign, who have signed the petition calling for a cut in beer tax.

It also highlights that pubs could bear rising costs in the form of the national living wage, pension auto-enrolment and the apprenticeship levy.

The manifesto also states there is an acute shortage of pub chefs and kitchen staff at a time when a quality food offer is becoming critical for pubs to thrive.

How can the industry thrive?

The trade body is calling on all political parties to commit to support UK beer and pubs by:

Implementing a real-terms cut in beer duty over the course of the next parliament
Backing the 200,000-plus supporters of the Long Live the Local campaign
Addressing the unfairness of the business rates system
Recognising the growing cost burden of pub businesses
Not adding further burdensome regulation to the beer and pub sector
Providing greater flexibility to promote and market lower-strength beer
Enabling a trading relationship with the EU that allows for the seamless movement of beer

What the sector needs

The manifesto also aims to show how pubs and brewers have a unique role to play in a post-Brexit world, ranging from helping British businesses and tourism thrive, to enhancing Britain’s reputation overseas.

However, to achieve this, the manifesto outlines that the UK needs the most competitive tax and regulatory regime in Europe post-Brexit.

McClarkin continued: “Our manifesto sets out what the next Government can and should do to support our sector.

“I hope candidates in all parties recognise the importance of brewing and pubs in the communities they seek to serve and help promote these policies our sector urgently needs.”