The BBPA’s Brigid Simmonds has written to Members of Parliament urging them to support a Parliamentary motion calling for a freeze in beer duty in the Budget on 20th March.
Early Day Motion 892 has been tabled by Andrews Griffiths MP, and already has the support of 24 MPs from six parties in Parliament.
The EDM calls on the Government to sustain the momentum created by the historic, March 2013 duty cut and removal of the beer duty escalator, by freezing duty in the 2014 Budget in order to secure over 2,000 jobs in pubs.
Brigid Simmonds is also urging BBPA Members to write to their MPs urging them to support the measure. All those, from publicans, beer drinkers and others who would like to see a duty freeze, can easily join the campaign, via the ‘email your MP’ tool on the CAMRA website, here.
Brigid Simmonds comments:
“I hope as many MPs as possible will join calls for a freeze in this year’s Budget, which means we need to urge our MPs to support EDM 892. Last year’s cut gave the industry a real confidence boost, but another freeze will allow us to create more jobs, boost the economy and put money back into people’s pockets.”
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For further information and requests for interviews with Brigid Simmonds, please contact:
David Wilson, Director of Public Affairs: 020 7627 9151/ 07557 436 033
Gareth Barrett, Public Affairs Manager: Tel: (020) 7627 9154
Neil Williams, Head of Media: 020 7627 9156 / 07974 249 779
Notes to editors:
EDM 892 text:
That this House welcomes the ending of the beer duty escalator and the impact of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s historic beer duty cut in the 2013 Budget, the first such cut since 1959, in supporting the growth of Britain’s breweries and underpinning confidence in the UK’s pubs; and urges the Government to sustain this momentum by considering the case for a further freeze in beer duty in the 2014 Budget which would secure over 2,000 jobs in pubs up and down the land and help reduce the cost of living for hard-working men and women.
Text of Brigid Simmonds’ email to MPs
Dear [MP]
Beer Duty and the 2014 Budget – please sign EDM 892
The two per cent cut in Beer Duty made in the Budget 2013 was historic. It has led to increased investment, confidence and support for jobs across the country.
However, I want to share my concerns about the potential for lost momentum if Beer Duty is once again increased in the March Budget, and express our support for a freeze in Beer Duty.
The benefits of the cut have been highly significant. From smaller businesses gaining the confidence to take on new staff and buy new equipment to larger businesses investing in and expanding their pub estates, there has been a definite change in industry perceptions.
In terms of jobs created more than 60 per cent of BBPA members have said they would be employing more staff.
However, the reality is that tax hikes of 42 per cent in five years are not easily undone. A further freeze in Beer Duty this year would make a telling difference – with research by Oxford Economics indicating that it could boost jobs by 2,000, across the country.
A freeze would maintain the increased confidence felt by our sector to invest, support jobs and add value to our economy. Representing a sector that plays an important role in each and every constituency
This is why I am asking you to support these efforts by signing EDM 892. I would also urge you to write to the Chancellor indicating your support for the Beer Duty freeze in his Budget.
Yours sincerely,
Brigid Simmonds OBE
Chief Executive
The British Beer & Pub Association is the UK’s leading organisation representing the brewing and pub sector. Its members account for 96 per cent of the beer brewed in the UK and around half of Britain’s 49,500 pubs.