House of Commons · Westminster Hall
15 July 2025 · 10 other contributors · 8,102 words
Opened by Will Forster Lib Dem Woking
Responding minister: Torsten Bell
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Will Forster raised concerns about beer duty in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The Government should reduce beer duty by 50p, which would offset the cost of EPR for producers, the supply chain, and consumers.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
The beer and pub sector in Woking supports over 1,800 jobs and contributes £100 million to the local economy. The extended producer responsibility scheme will cost brewers around 3p a bottle unless they raise prices or the Government step in. This will seriously threaten the brewing and bottling industry.
Pubs are central to communities, as we have heard. They are one of the last places we have to get together with our mates or turn up on our own to be around other people.
Welcomes the beer duty cut and supports local pubs as a part of community life. Advocates for reforming business rates to support local economies and urges the Government to exempt pubs from extended producer responsibility.
EPR is an attack on microbusinesses in hospitality alongside other pressures like business rates and national insurance contributions.
A reduction in beer duty would help pubs like Beer Matters in Barnstaple continue to operate and serve as social hubs.
There is only one small independent brewer in my constituency but they are good guys. Granting Northern Ireland’s independent breweries the ability to properly open taprooms would enable small businesses to reach their potential. Asked about small producer relief in Northern Ireland despite licensing being a devolved matter.
Under the previous Government, real progress was made on duty reforms that simplified beer duty and implemented draught relief. Beer duty was frozen or cut year after year. The current Government's decision to return automatic uprating of beer duty could harm pubs, hospitality, and brewing industries.
Mentioned the review of small brewers’ access to UK pubs and provision of guest beers.
Growth in the economy is vital, and we are offering a solution to try to grow the economy and support local communities. I do have some sympathy for the Minister, who was wheeled out to outline the winter fuel allowance U-turn and now again to try to defend taxing pubs more than we should. He talks about the financial impact, but when he goes back to a pub in Swansea, I hope he considers the benefits of a review.
Concerned about EPR's impact on small rural businesses in Somerset such as Fine Tuned Brewery.
Pubs provide cultural events that are integral to community life, making the benefits of a small beer duty reduction far exceed the cost.
Government Response
Torsten BellThe Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury
The Chancellor cut alcohol duty on qualifying draught products, reducing bills by over £85 million a year and introducing small producer relief for breweries. The measures recognised the roles of pubs in supporting responsible drinking. Discussed the Budget's commitment to reviewing small brewers' access to UK pubs, highlighted the implications of alcohol duty on public health and finances, addressed international comparisons, introduced new standards for alcohol labelling, outlined support schemes including a £1.5 million hospitality support scheme, discussed extended producer responsibility and deposit return scheme, and invited MPs and industry representatives to continue providing input.