MP for South Staffordshire, Gavin Williamson has recently secured an adjournment debate on the future of the beer duty escalator. The measure was introduced by the previous Labour government in 2008 and has been continued by the current government.
The beer duty escalator, which is currently in place until 2014/2015, means that beer duty is automatically increased by 2% above inflation every year.
Commenting on this, Gavin Williamson said:
‘We are all aware of the huge deficit that needs to be reduced as well as the major problem of binge drinking in the UK. However, I am seriously concerned that imposing even higher taxes on beer could have a crippling effect on the various pubs and breweries in South Staffordshire which contribute so much to the area both economically and socially’.