More than 100 MPs sign up to beer tax freeze motion

More than 100 MPs have signed up to a motion in Parliament urging the Government to freeze the tax on beer.

A total of 107 MPs have put their names to the motion, tabled by Burton MP Andrew Griffiths ahead of the Budget on Wednesday.

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), along with CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) and SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers) have all called for a rethink on the Government's beer tax policy, with the BBPA warning that beer tax has risen 26% since March 2008.

Griffiths, a Conservative, whose constituency has more than 4,500 jobs that depend on the beer and pub trade, said: "This is proof that there is growing agreement amongst MPs that increasing duty on beer in the Budget would have a damaging impact on brewers and pubs alike. We hope that the Chancellor will take note of this cross party demand for a fair deal for beer."

Brigid Simmonds, BBPA chief executive, added: "With pubs at the heart of every community and beer a vital part of our manufacturing sector, the growing concerns of MPs over government tax policy should be heard. Beer and pubs employ almost a million people and could be helping the economy to grow. If the Chancellor were to freeze beer duty next week, it would be the clearest possible signal that when it comes to helping small business - he really does mean business."

Pub closures slow to 25 a week >>

BBPA warns on beer tax hike as study shows 1m employed by pubs >>

Alcohol consumption rises in 2010 but beer consumption continues to drop >>

By Neil Gerrard

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