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Beer Duty
15 July 2025
Lead MP
Will Forster
Woking
LD
Responding Minister
Torsten Bell
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Word Count: 8102
Other Contributors: 10
At a Glance
Will Forster raised concerns about beer duty in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
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.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
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.
Bobby Dean
LD
Carshalton and Wallington
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.
Clive Jones
LD
Wokingham
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.
West Dorset
EPR is an attack on microbusinesses in hospitality alongside other pressures like business rates and national insurance contributions.
Ian Roome
LD
North Devon
A reduction in beer duty would help pubs like Beer Matters in Barnstaple continue to operate and serve as social hubs.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
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.
Mike Wood
Con
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
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.
Brash
Con
Hartlepool
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.
Sarah Dyke
LD
Glastonbury and Somerton
Concerned about EPR's impact on small rural businesses in Somerset such as Fine Tuned Brewery.
Bath
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 Bell
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury
Government Response
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.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.