It is calling for individual licensees, organisations and other interested parties to contribute to the inquiry, which will look at how the beer and pub sector has supported economic recovery in the past, industry investment in people and skills as well as the social, community and wellbeing value.
APPGs are informal, cross-party groups formed by MPs and Members of the House of Lords who share a common interest in a particular issue. They can sometimes be influential because of their non-partisan approach.
The APPBG was established in 1993 and is one of the largest APPGs in parliament. Its objectives are “to broaden recognition of the enormous contribution of brewing and pubs to the UK economy from grain to glass - and to celebrate the unique role that beer and pubs play in our society.
The inquiry will examine the Government’s Industrial Strategy Green Paper and the anticipated Small Businesses and High Street Regeneration Green Papers to assess where the beer and pub sector fits, and how its potential to drive growth and spur innovation can contribute to the objectives of these strategies.
Economic strengths
Green papers are consultation documents that present proposed policies for discussion and feedback before they are finalised.
The inquiry will also explore the economic strengths and capabilities of the sector, including its ability to positively drive regeneration and investment in local areas.
It will also look into the role of the Hospitality Council, the collaboration between government and the sector, which aims to create solutions and to support the delivery of the hospitality strategy.
The APPBG inquiry will also look at what a pro-business environment for beer and pubs could unlock in terms of investment and economic growth across areas of People and Skills; Innovation; Energy and Infrastructure; Entrepreneurship; Regulatory Environment and Trade and Investment.
Importantly, it will also consider whether the beer and pub sectors should be recognised as an integral part of the Industrial Strategy and what policy levers can enable the sector to achieve its growth vision.
Current pressures
Launching the inquiry, APPBG chair Tonia Antoniazzi MP (Lab, Gower) said: “The APPBG has reported previously on key issues for the beer and pub sector, including business rates and licensing.
“This inquiry aims to take a more holistic view, acknowledging current pressures and setting out a vision for a regulatory environment that would support and enable the sector not just to thrive, but to drive economic growth in local communities across the UK.”
She added: “This is a sector that has extraordinary potential to catalyse investment, regeneration and innovation and it is important that Government recognises and supports this. We would welcome any suggestions and evidence.”
All written evidence will be published on the APPBG’s new website in due course and virtual hearings will be held with invited witnesses in June/July. The final report will be published in September.
Evidence should be submitted by email to Rita King, Honorary Secretary, APPBG at rita@beergroup.org clearly identifying any information which is submitted in confidence.
The deadline for submissions is Friday 9 May 2025.
Previous inquiries by the APPBG include: Beer Tax (1995), Licensing Law Reform (1999), Community Pubs (2008), Beer Tax Fraud (2012), Unlocking Pubs’ Potential (2020), Caskenomics: the future of cask beer (2021), Levelling the Bar: Reforming Outdated Business Rates for Pubs’ Survival (2022).
