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The Cumbrian brewer, which also operates a taproom within the brewery in Cockermouth, is set to reduce prices on Friday 9 October in support of the Drop the Tap Tax campaign set up by the Society of Independent Brewers & Associates (SIBA) to highlight the potential benefits a lower tax on pub beer would have ahead of the Budget on Wednesday 28 October.
Jennings said the UK has one of the highest rates of tax on pub pints in Europe – 10 times as high as in Germany. Its campaign day, which is called Drop the Pint Day, will also see pubs, bars and taprooms across the UK reducing their prices on one cask or keg of beer to German tax levels on Friday only. In support, Jennings is offering pints of Castle Bitter at this lower price.
Invite to local MP
The Drop the Tap Tax campaign, which asks beer drinkers to sign the petition and write to their MP ahead of the Budget in the hope Chancellor John Healey will make a positive decision on alcohol tax levels for next year. Jennings has invited its local MP Markus Campbell-Savours to its taproom on the day so he can learn more about the campaign.
The brewery said Healey has the power to cut tax specifically on beer that is sold in pubs via handpulls and keg taps. The brewery added: “The so-called ‘draught relief’ is currently set at a 13.9% reduced rate. Independent brewers believe that boosting this could create jobs, help grow the economy and give a boost to pubs and breweries across the UK.”
Way too high
Jennings Brewery managing director Chris France said: “The tax we pay on UK pub beer is way too high and one of the largest in Europe. The Chancellor could Drop the Tap Tax in his Budget and help secure the future of Jennings and community pubs.
“To highlight the extra we pay, we’ll be offering pints at the much lower German tax rates next Friday. So, help us send a clear message to the Chancellor by drinking Castle Bitter all day in our taproom.”
The Drop the Tap Tax campaign forms a petition asking for signatures asking for a cut in tax on beer at pubs and will run until the Budget takes place.
