Brewers and drinkers hail budget beer cut

“CAMRA is delighted to see the Chancellor implementing an unprecedented second consecutive cut of a penny in beer duty. This is not only about keeping the price of a pint affordable in British pubs but helping an industry which has been in overall decline continue on its long road to recovery. CAMRA cares greatly about the future of the Great British pub and it is clear from this Budget announcement that the Government do too.

“Keeping the price of a pint affordable is vital for the long-term health of the pub sector and CAMRA would hope this latest vote of confidence in British pubs will go some way to slowing the rate of closures, by encouraging more people to make use of their local this summer.

“No doubt many of CAMRA’s 160,000 members will be raising a glass to the Chancellor this evening to toast another brilliant Budget for British beer drinkers.”

Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive 

SIBA delighted with 'same again, George'
Julian Grocock, chief executive of the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) said, "SIBA applauds the Chancellor's decision to take another penny off the pint, following last year's historic decision to scrap the unpopular escalator. It is good to see that this government believes in providing long-term support for the British brewing and pubs industry.
"SIBA's Budget submission to the Treasury this year was based on the very positive impact of the 2013 duty cut on the local brewing industry. Our members now feel more confident about the long-term prospects for their breweries, and are investing in them by buying new equipment, recruiting new staff or opening new pubs.
"This evidence of an industry buoyed by the duty cut, which we presented to government both centrally and locally, through our members' lobbying of their MPs, is one reason why we have been given what we asked for in this Budget - the 'same again, please, George.'. We promise to return the Chancellor's positive response by giving back more of the same from Britain's local brewers: more investment in breweries, jobs and pubs.
"It is particularly pleasing that, while duty concessions were given to other drinks, only beer, as our national drink, was rewarded with an actual cut in duty.
"We must also thank Andrew Griffiths MP, whose tireless work on behalf of British beer and brewing ensures that our arguments are heard at the highest level in government."