PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
INTRODUCTION OF PROGRESSIVE BEER DUTY (6 March 2002)

That this House notes with concern that over 80 per cent. of the beer brewing market is dominated and concentrated in the hands of four national brewers, Scottish Courage, Bass, Whitbread and Carlsberg-Tetley; notes that many craft breweries are at a major competitive disadvantage and are going out of business at an alarming rate; notes the positive effect that the introduction of progressive beer duty will have on the survival and growth of local small craft breweries; further notes that progressive beer duty will help ensure employment creation, encourage competition, encourage choice and stimulate the growth of related industries; notes that unlike other European markets where progressive beer duty exists, the UK duty regime has failed to adapt to changes in the market; notes that the introduction of progressive beer duty will cost the Exchequer ú6 million per annum and will help nearly 300 micro-breweries that each employ under 10 staff; and calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to consider the possibility of introducing progressive beer duty on a sliding scale for very small craft breweries producing annually under 30,000 hectolitres of beer, as well as introducing a floor of 5,000 hectolitres below which duty will not be charged.

Sponsored by:
Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat)