A big win for Richard Holden MP's Pubs campaign: Beer Duty cut extended to 20 litre kegs.
A statement follows from Richard:
"I have fought tirelessly and successfully to lower costs for pubs. And so, I welcome the Chancellor’s decision to continue to back my long-running campaign to cut further the prices of alcohol across the UK.
"When the Chancellor revealed at his fiscal statement last Friday that the draught relief will be extended to cover smaller kegs of 20 litres and above to help cut the costs of small breweries – this followed in the footsteps of my campaign on this very issue. This will massively benefit small brewers all across North West Durham."
So far Richard has been:
o Parliamentarian of the Year from the Beer All-Party Parliamentary Group;
o The Champion of British Pubs Award;
o Backing the Long Live the Local campaign highlighting the importance of pubs;
o Launched his Pub of the Year 2022 Awards;
o Pressured Former Chancellor to introduce a new lower rate of duty for draught beer;
o Led calls for extra financial support for pubs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The Beer Duty extension is very welcome news. It follows on from years of pressure in Parliament on the government – it has been great to have had two such receptive Conservative Chancellors when it comes to issues that affect pubs and beer drinkers.
"It is great that Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng, who visited the Grey Horse recently and poured a pint there, has listened to my representations; he has shown himself to be a true ally of the industry.
"These measures will go some way in cutting pub-goers, pubs, and breweries’ costs this winter, but there is still more work to be done. I will be announcing my Pub of the Year Award 2022 shortly and fighting for the industry through what will be a difficult winter with energy costs."