Thwaites boss campaigns on beer duty

NORTH West brewer Thwaites is campaigning for a fair deal for the pubs sector in next month’s budget.

The Blackburn-firm’s managing director  has written to MPs including Jack Straw and Nigel Evans, urging them to back calls for a freeze in Beer Tax in the Budget. 
He also wants them to sign a Parliamentary early-day motion to show their support for the local beer and pub trade. Record numbers of pubs are continuing to close as consumer spending stays weak and customers opt to stay at home having bought cheap alcohol from supermarkets.

The EDM supports a wide campaign led by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), to freeze beer duty and scrap the controversial beer duty escalator.

Since 2008, beer duty has increased by 26%.  The current rate of inflation could lead to a 7.1% increase in duty, meaning the sector will have had a hike of 35% over three years.

Combined with the VAT increase (6p per pint) 2011 is on course to see the biggest rise in the price of beer in pubs ever.

Peter Morris said: “I hope the MPs will listen to our concerns, and back this motion in Parliament, as beer and pubs are an absolutely vital part of the Lancashire economy. 

“Over the past year Thwaites have invested over £3m in its pubs and hotels in the area, with plans to invest a further £2.5m in the coming year, creating local jobs.  The current Government policy is counter-productive, as it is shutting down pubs, and costing jobs.”