CAMRA is a non-party political organisation and so it was not a problem that the recent general election was called after the previous edition had gone to print and took place four weeks before this one. As usual, CAMRA called on its members to e-mail their parliamentary candidates asking them, should they be elected, to support consumers, pubs, social clubs, breweries and cider producers. Specifically, we asked for a fundamental reform of the alcohol duty system, including the introduction of a lower rate of tax for draught beer in recognition of the community value of pubs, clubs and taprooms. This includes a sliding scale of duty for small cider producers, to help them compete against the global producers that dominate in the UK cider market. In addition, all of the parties know that a long term revision of business rates is very much needed.
We offer our congratulations to Sir Keir Starmer on becoming Prime Minister. According to the Propel Newsletter, Sir Keir and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves have expressed support for the hospitality industry, recognising its contributions to jobs and tax revenues. It is hoped that they will continue the freeze on alcohol duty when it ends on 1 August. The recent fall in inflation, although, obviously, not down to the new government, is also very welcome, especially because it comes mainly from lower energy and food prices, areas where the industry has really suffered. The increase in sales during the European Championships football tournament also helped, even if it did not end in glory for England. So far, so good…
Tony Hedger