Cheers, George, say Wiltshire brewers

The Chancellor, George Osborne, abolished the duty escalator, which adds inflation plus two per cent to the price of a pint of beer, as well as reducing the tax paid per pint by a penny.

James Timoney, director of Warminster-based brewer Plain Ales, said: “This move will generate growth and jobs in brewing, one of Britain’s few remaining manufacturing industries, and in pubs; both sectors that employ high numbers of young people.

“The revenue to the Treasury from this investment will far outweigh whatever they might have earned from beer duty.”

Despite the relief for beer drinkers, no other alcohol producers have been singled out in the Budget. Vintner Alan Chubb, who owns Quions Vineyard in Little Ashley, questioned why the beer industry had received special treatment.

He said: “We knew this automatic increase was coming and I will have to put my prices up to cover the tax increase, which means an extra 10p per bottle.

“I don’t think, when they made the decision, they were aware of the wine industry in Britain, even though our sparkling wines are beating French champagnes in international competitions. We’re a fledgling industry and need all the support we can get.”

However Don Jones, of Wiltshire CAMRA, said it was right to treat beer as a special case. He said: “Beer is our traditional drink. It’s the one that can be drunk sensibly, so I am fully in support of the fact that this was done just on beer.

“It’s still tough times but, considering what we have been led to expect, this is a step in the right direction.”

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