Following the chancellor’s budget speech CAMRA chairman Ash Corbett-Collins (above) said: “We’re glad that the chancellor has targeted new measures at small pubs, independent brewers and cider makers, even if the wider picture on beer tax, VAT and energy costs will disappoint many drinkers, pub and beer businesses.
"The announcement in the Red Book that tied pub tenants in England and Wales will be allowed to serve a guest beer of their choice is incredibly welcome. This could, if introduced properly, help independent brewers get more of their beers onto bars. We’re looking forward to working with the government to get the details right and deliver greater choice for drinkers.
"The government needs to go further by making changes to make sure we can get decent beers from independent British and Irish brewers in all pubs instead of the same, bland beers from multinational brewing businesses that dominate at the bar.
“The government must release the full results of its Access to Market Review, first announced two years ago, as soon as possible and make changes giving drinkers a choice of beers that they actually want, and independent brewers get a fair shot at the market.”
On general and draught alcohol duties rising, Ash said: “Drinkers will be disappointed to see a beer tax rise that will be passed on to pints in pubs in today’s Budget. The chancellor could and should have cut tax specifically on beer and cider served in pubs, and hiked duty on cheap supermarket alcohol to help level the playing field.
“At a time when many pubgoers, pubs and brewers are struggling to make ends meet, increasing taxes on pints in pubs is the wrong decision.”
On making Small Producer Relief more generous for small brewers and cider makers, Ash said: “The £10 million Alcohol Duty Relief scheme for smaller brewers and cider makers is great news for supporting the local and independent producers that pubgoers value so much.
“Small and independent brewers are making the highest quality, most innovative, cask beers that the UK has to offer, but they’re squeezed out of the market by the global drinks manufacturers that control bars and flood them with bland beers."
On the lack of action on VAT, energy bills and employment taxes, Ash said: “Beer and pub businesses were crying out for a cut in VAT on food and alcohol, as well as action on sky-high energy bills and increased Employer National Insurance contributions. The lack of action on all of these issues will only contribute to more otherwise viable pubs having to call last orders for good.”
