UK: CAMRA calls the Government to freeze excise duty on beer

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) today slammed the Chancellor's decision to yet again increase excise duty on beer as a mistake that will hit Britain's pubs hard, according to organization’s news room, March 21.

The 84,000 member strong consumer organisation had called on the Government to freeze excise duty as the decision to increase tax is likely to result in higher prices, less customers in pubs, and a drop in revenue for the treasury.

“This is a false economy for the Government as we may now see an exodus from pubs after beer prices rise”, CAMRA Chief Executive Mike Benner said.

“This is bad news for the millions of people who enjoy British pubs but will now face a higher cost to visit them. Therefore trips to the pub will become less frequent and the revenue the Government makes from VAT will suffer. At a time when 56 pubs a month are closing, the smoking ban is imminent and supermarkets are selling beer at ridiculously low prices, British pubs needed a lifeline from their government and that has been denied them”.

23 March, 2007