E-Malt.com News article: UK: BBPA welcomes renewed calls for a freeze in beer duty in next year’s budget

Britain’s brewing and pub industry has welcomed renewed calls from MPs for a freeze in beer duty in the 2014 Budget. This comes as a new Early Day Motion (EDM 892) from Andrew Griffiths MP, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group, has been tabled in Parliament and new research has revealed that UK beer drinkers are paying a massive 43 per cent of all the beer duty collected in the European Union – despite consuming just 12 per cent of the beer, BBPA reported on December 23.

The EDM calls for the Government to sustain the momentum created by the historic, March 2013 duty cut and removal of the duty escalator last year, by freezing beer duty in the 2014 Budget in order to secure over 2,000 jobs in pubs up and down the country.

Brigid Simmonds, BBPA Chief Executive, comments:

“I hope MPs will again support the overwhelming case for a freeze in beer duty in March.

“The 2013 duty cut was a hugely popular first step, which has given the industry confidence, and had a real impact on brewing and pub investment, protecting and creating jobs all over the country.

“But it will take many years to undo the impact of the 42 per cent hike in beer duty we endured from 2008-2012.

“Huge thanks are also due to Andrew Griffiths MP, and all other MPs who continue to support this great British industry.”

The duty freeze EDM comes as research is published revealing that the UK contributes 43 per cent of total amount of duty paid on beer sales in Europe, whilst only accounting for 13 per cent of the total consumption of beer. This comes from a new study, conducted by Regioplan Policy Research and EY and commissioned by the Brewers of Europe, which outlines the economic impact of the brewing sector in 31 European countries.

As well as showing the extent of the UK beer tax burden the EY report also shows that after Germany, the British brewing industry generates the most jobs in the EU. In 2012, beer in Britain generated more than 32,700 jobs in the supply sectors, more than 260,000 jobs in hospitality sector and around 11,500 jobs in the retail sector. In total, the employment impact of the production and sale of beer was some 321,900 jobs – one in six of all jobs created in Europe from beer and brewing.

The report also highlights how the UK plays a very significant role in the European brewing supply chain. To take just one example, the UK has now emerged as the largest can producer in Europe, with 50 per cent of these cans being used by the brewing industry. In terms of the key ingredient in beer, malting barley, one-sixth of the entire malting barley crop in Europe, is grown here in the UK.

Brigid Simmonds OBE, BBPA Chief Executive, adds:

“This valuable new report highlights the huge importance of brewing to the European economy. The brewing industry provides two million vital jobs and Britain has a fundamental role in creating these opportunities.

“The report very clearly highlights the disproportionate tax burden paid by Britain’s beer drinkers and pubgoers. It underlines why the Chancellor was right to act in last year’s Budget and why a further freeze in beer duty is now needed.”


27 December, 2013