Janet Dean has expressed her disappointment that the Chancellor increased the tax on beer in this week’s Budget.  The tax on alcohol has risen by 2%.

Janet is supporting the Axe the Beer Tax campaign and has called on the Chancellor to freeze the tax on beer.

Janet said,

“I know from the hundreds of e-mails I have had from constituents the concerns they have about the future of local pubs and the beer tax.”

"Burton has a unique position as the capital of brewing in the UK. The number of pubs closing down is rising and Government plans to increase taxes on beer will hit them hard.”

"We must take action to help save our pubs and protect the many vital jobs in the pub trade."

Janet met with Ministers at a ‘Pubs summit’ in March and was in touch with the Chancellor in advance of the Budget to urge action.

Last year Janet co-chaired the Community Pub Inquiry, set up by the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group, which called on the Government to freeze the tax on beer and to review the wider social impact of beer duty.  The Home Affairs Select Committee, of which Janet is a member, has also called on the Government to stop supermarkets selling cheap alcohol.

Janet added,

“I will continue to do all that I can to support the brewing and pub industries and to protect jobs in my constituency.”

22 April 2009