Apr

CAMRA says- ‘Stop this beer tax ‘insanity’’

By Chris

‘British drinkers are being singled out for the biggest beer tax increases ever imposed.’ (Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive)

- 18% beer tax increase by Government in 2008 has forced publicans to up real ale prices by an inflation-busting 5.5%, new research from CAMRA shows

- Britain’s drinkers have paid over 3 billion pounds in beer excise duty since March 2008 Budget

- 70,000 people sign up to Axe the Beer Tax campaign. 25,000 have contacted their MP to call for a freeze in beer taxation and abandonment of plans for annual above inflation beer tax hikes

CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has spoken out at its distaste for further beer tax increases in this year’s Budget as its board of Directors converged upon one of Britain’s most historic breweries.

On Friday April 17th, CAMRA’s National Executive members gave a rallying call at Harveys brewery
in Lewes, East Sussex, in advance of CAMRA’s national AGM, and Chancellor Alistair Darling’s Budget on April 22nd.

At their annual Conference over one thousand CAMRA members overwhelmingly endorsed a call to freeze excise duties and scrap the beer tax escalator as new research shows the heightening effect taxation is having on beer prices at the bar.

CAMRA’s 2009 Prices Survey shows that-
- The pub price of a pint of real ale has increased by 5.5% since February 2008
- The East Midlands has been hardest hit, with real ale prices increasing by 9.1% since February 2008
- Britain’s independent freehouse pubs are the worst suffering pubs, increasing real ale prices by 6.2% in the last year

Speaking of the new research, Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive, said:

‘Both the publican and the pub-goer are suffering at the hands of disproportionate increases in beer taxation. Beer prices across the board are increasing way above the rate of inflation and the Government must act now to give well-run community pubs a break.’

Benner continues:

‘In addition to the 18% increase in beer tax last year, the Government appear committed to punishing responsible pub-goers with a 2% above inflation rise in beer tax year after year. A decision to abandon this unfair, inflation-busting tax escalator and freeze beer tax are key remedies for preventing what has previously been described as a ‘bloodbath’ of pub closures across the land.’

‘The Axe the Beer Tax – Save the Pub’ Campaign was launched in November 2008 by the British Beer & Pub Association, and CAMRA. For more information, please visit the campaign website at www.axethebeertax.com

- The RPI (Retail Prices Index) shows that in February 2009, inflation levels were at 0%.

Real Ale- Results of CAMRA’s Annual Prices Survey- conducted between January 19th and February 23rd 2009 in a variety of public houses

Feb ’09 Feb ’08 % Change

UK 259 245 5.5%

By Region

Eastern England 272 256 6.2%

East Midlands 261 239 9.1%

London 279 264 5.8%

North 243 230 5.6%

North West 226 215 5.0%

Northern Ireland 276 234 17.7%

Scotland 266 255 4.3%