Hugh Robertson attacks increase in beer duty in Budget

Hugh Robertson MP supports Shepherd Neame's attack on the government over hike in beer duty in this year's budget.

Hugh Robertson, the MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, who has Shepherd Neame’s headquarters in his constituency, has backed Jonathan Neame, the Chief Executive’s attack on the hike in beer duty in this year’s budget. Apart from representations from the brewery, Hugh Robertson has received a number of letters from publicans fearing that the increase in duty will force pubs to close.

Recent figures indicate that 27 pubs are closing in this country each day.

Hugh said, “I wrote to The Chancellor before the budget specifically asking him not to raise the duty on beer and I am desperately disappointed that he has ignored the representations made by me and other MPs with breweries in their constituencies. The fact that 27 pubs are closing each day is horrific enough in itself but this is often happening in rural villages where the shop has already closed and the government is closing the post office – all of which is having a desperate effect on rural life.

It would have made much more sense if The Chancellor had targeted binge drinkers who are mainly responsible for the anti social behaviour seen in urban centres. This could have been done by raising the duty on alcopops and high strength lagers and then used the proceeds to cut duty on the majority of responsible beer and wine drinkers – many of whom are already feeling the effects of other tax increases.”