Trade body to launch ‘Axe the beer tax’ campaign

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) is to launch a campaign opposing the Government’s plans to increase beer duty at a rate above inflation for the next four years.

Axe the beer tax, which will have its own dedicated mini-site online, was described by the BBPA as a “logical next step” in the trade body’s efforts to ramp up the pressure on chancellor Alastair Darling.

Darling outraged the industry - currently seeing five pubs closures per day - when he announced in the Budget the introduction of a tax escalator for beer duty set at 2% above inflation.

A BBPA spokesman said: “The UK pub industry is seeing a significant rate of closures and fall in beer sales and we believe the large tax increase levied on the industry by Government is a key reason for this.”

Earlier this month, the BBPA released its A Wake up for Westminster report, which stated that Government taxes and red tape were damaging the UK’s pub sector as it grappled with one of its most severe periods of economic pressure on record.

Rob Hayward, BBPA chief executive, said at the launch: “The Government should abandon its plans for more punitive tax rises on beer, and should concentrate on enforcing existing laws rather than introduce new ones.

Axe the Beer Tax will receive its official launch this autumn.

Rising costs threatens profits growth at M&B >>

Government taxes and red tape damaging UK pub sector >>

Pubs close at a rate of five a day, says research >>

Pub beer sales plummet >>

Pub industry furious over rise in alcohol duty >>

Kitchen Rat: Everyone wants to have a laugh at chancellor's expense >>

By Chris Druce

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