BBPA delivers British beers to Treasury, as 97 MPs sign motion supporting suspension of beer duty escalator
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has delivered a special "Budget basket" of beer to the Treasury, on the same day that it emerged nearly 100 MPs had supported a motion to scrap the beer duty escalator.
A total of 97 MPs have signed the Early Day Motion (EDM) put forward by Andrew Griffiths MP and chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group to suspend the beer duty escalator on the day of the Budget, which is on 21 March.
Meanwhile, the BBPA delivered beers connected with Treasury ministers' own constituencies, to remind them of the importance of the sector to the British economy.
Among the beers are Welton's Pride ‘n' Joy, a 2.8% beer to show how the reduced rate of duty for lower strength beers introduced by the Government last autumn is helping to spur innovation in the industry.
The basket also contains a bottle of Trade Winds from Aviemore-based Cairngorm Brewery from Chief Secretary Danny Alexander's Inverness seat, as well as Roundhead Porter, from the Why Not Brewery in Economic Secretary Chloe Smith's Norwich seat.
From Exchequer Secretary David Gauke's South West Hertfordshire constituency, Tring Brewery has provided ‘Jack O'Legs, a traditional premium bitter. Jack was a friendly highwayman, regularly passing the proceeds of the day's endeavours to the poor and needy - which the BBPA said should give pause for thought for any Chancellor when putting the finishing touches to his Budget.
And Wychwood Brewery, in David Cameron's Witney constituency, has provided Hobgoblin, which is running a popular petition calling for a freeze in beer tax this year.
The basket is rounded off with Carling, which is made from barley sourced entirely from fields in England, Scotland and Wales, as well as Shepherd Neame's Spitfire, and Deuchars India Pale Pale.
Brigid Simmonds, who delivered the beers to the Treasury, said: "Beer is truly Britain's national drink. Of the beer consumed here, 90% is brewed here in Britain, often using natural, British ingredients. It's a drink that supports pubs and jobs, and a host of other industries, such as barley and hop farming, with almost one million of us dependent on the brewing and pub trade for work.
"Beer is the perfect drink for a stint at the dispatch box. It's something for Britain to be proud of, so it's time the Chancellor backed beer and announced a freeze in beer tax."
By Neil Gerrard
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