UK: UK beer taxes reach new heights when compared to other EU nations

The tax gap endured by British beer drinkers when compared to the UK’s EU neighbours has reached new heights and must be addressed, British Beer & Pub Association Chief Executive Brigid Simmonds said on September 11, commenting on the publication of the association’s Statistical Handbook 2012 – the leading statistics bible for the beer and pub industry.

Pint for pint, British beer drinkers now pay nine times more Beer Tax than the French, and an astonishing 13 times more than the Germans. In the EU, only Finland slaps a higher tax on beer than the UK Treasury. The trend is set to continue, with the Government’s controversial beer duty escalator if action isn’t taken, says Mrs Simmonds.

According to Statistical Handbook 2012, UK alcohol consumption per capita fell once again in 2011, from 8.4 to 8.3 litres per head, and is now 12 per cent lower than in 2004.

The decline in numbers of young people (11-15 year olds) drinking alcohol over the last decade has been significant, falling by 29 per cent since 2008.

At 946, Britain has more breweries than at any time since the 1930s, up from 840 the previous year.

The average price of a pint of beer in tenanted/leased pubs was £2.85, £2.87 in independent pubs and £2.91 in managed pubs.

52 per cent of beer, 19 per cent of wine, 38 per cent of cider, 21 per cent of spirits and 44 per cent of FABs are sold through the on-trade.

The Czech Republic remains the largest consumer of alcohol in the EU, at 11.8 litres per capita.

Brigid Simmonds comments:

“Behind these numbers lie the key issues facing our industry. With almost 1 million jobs depending on the beer and pub sector, action is needed to bring the tax on beer more into line with neighbouring states. This and a wealth of other data should prove an essential reference took for anyone wanting to understand this unique British industry.”

The British Beer & Pub Association is the UK’s leading organisation representing the brewing and pub sector. Its members account for 96 per cent of the beer brewed in the UK and own half of Britain’s 51,000 pubs.

12 September, 2012