Calls are growing for a freeze in beer duty in this year’s Budget, as a report shows that an astonishing 900,000 jobs depend on British beer and pubs – and almost half (44%) are younger workers aged 16-24, who need these vital jobs the most. The figures show it is all the more vital that the Chancellor freezes beer duty in the Budget, says the BBPA.
The report, by economic experts Oxford Economics for the British Beer & Pub Association, also finds that the industry pays out £11 billion in wages, adds £22 billion to the economy, and makes “a significant contribution to every part of the UK,” says the report, though there are some local hot spots, such as Burton-on-Trent, where the industry is the backbone of the local economy. The full report, soon to be available, will show the impact of the industry in every Parliamentary constituency in the country.
80,000 brewing jobs; 820,000 pub jobs
Brewing itself sustains 80,000 UK jobs, but it is in pubs where the jobs impact is most felt, with 820,000 jobs. Britain now has over one thousand breweries (1,092) with the South West having the most (142). The industry also invests over £1 billion in capital investment
The report also shows the astonishing tax haul from the industry, of £12 billion in total taxes – enough in taxes to fund the Government’s entire transport budget.
Writing in the report, Adrian Cooper, Chief Executive Officer of Oxford Economics, says:
“Our findings again demonstrate that the importance of the beer and pub sector to the UK economy should not be underestimated. An important source of employment and output in every region, its activity provides significant tax contributions, investment, flexible working conditions and opportunities for young people to enter the labour market.”
Brigid Simmonds, BBPA Chief Executive, adds:
“These 900,000 jobs are vital to the UK economy. The Chancellor played a blinder last year, with his historic and hugely popular cut in beer duty boosted jobs by 10,000. Let’s ensure that the benefits are not undone this year – we need a beer duty freeze in the Budget.”
UK Parliamentary constituencies
The most breweries:
North Herefordshire – 11
Colne Valley – 10
Ludlow – 10
Ross, Skye & Lochaber – 10
The most pubs/inns:
Cities of London and Westminster – 504
Glasgow Central – 419
Edinburgh North and Leith – 327
Argyll and Bute – 264
Manchester Central – 252
The most jobs in brewing companies
Burton – 1,301
Edinburgh West – 955
Wolverhampton South West – 715
Bury St Edmunds – 685
Woking – 681
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