E-mail duty campaign to target Chancellor

Published: 16 April, 2009

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) is encouraging people to bombard Chancellor Alistair Darling with e-mails demanding a freeze on beer tax just days ahead of the 2009 Budget.

The BBPA has been at the forefront of the anti-duty lobbying campaign with its 'Axe the Beer Tax' initiative and now wants those in the industry and consumers to cram the Chancellor's in-box with demands for support for pubs across the country already struggling under high duty rates and recession.

The Axe the Beer Tax campaign has created a new front page on its website www.axethebeertax.com with details on how to lobby Chancellor Darling through e-mail.

Neil Williams, communications manager with the BBPA says: "By sending Mr Darling a message from www.axethebeertax.com you can help make the Chancellor think twice before piling even more taxes on the British pub next week. But hurry, time is running out. Thank you again for all your help."

Drinks industry leaders fear that the Chancellor will again raise duty on alcohol after the trade was dealt a devastating blow by an 8% rise on alcohol tax last November and the announcement of plans to introduce an escalator tax 2% above the rate of inflation for the next four years.

It has been forecast by those in the trade that up to 75,000 jobs will be lost if the tax escalator is introduced. Chancellor Darling will unveil his Budget next Wednesday (April 22).

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