Beer Duty Debate

Following the success of the Beer Duty e-petition, the policy is being debated in Parliament tomorrow.

The debate in Parliament calls on the Government to review its controversial “beer tax escalator” policy, which has seen the tax on beer rise by a staggering 42 per cent since it was introduced in March 2008. The debate is to take place on Thursday 1^st November. 

Vernon Amor of Wye Valley Brewery, says the debate shows the huge scale of concern about brewing and pubs and the vital role they play in our local economy. A petition signed by over 100,000 people has been the catalyst for action, after a national campaign backed by the Society of Independent Brewers, of which Wye Valley Brewery is a member, as well as other industry bodies and CAMRA. If the Government abandons plans for further big tax hikes, jobs and pubs could be boosted in this area.

“However, we are dependent on a thriving pub industry in order to sell our beers and any further pub closures will hurt us, as well being a huge social loss to the local community. Tax

is now on average over a pound a pint in the pub and further rises are just not sustainable.