I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend, and I enjoyed sampling a pint of Ginger Rodent in the Strangers Bar. It was particularly enjoyable as it was a penny less as a result of this Government’s measures.
We should not underestimate the community pub. It is an important industry, and £620 million from beer exports came into our coffers as a result of the cut in beer duty last year. Beer exports outside the EU were up by 23%—this industry is incredibly important to our country and has great potential. We all know that we brew the best beer in the world in this country, and having a Government who stand up and not only listen but act in support of that industry will mean that the business will grow, employ more people, and create more revenue for the country as a result. I commend the work that has been done.
The facts speak for themselves. Last year we said to the Chancellor that if he cut beer duty, scrapped Labour’s hated beer duty escalator and gave beer and pubs a break, there would be investment and growth in the industry. That proved to be absolutely right. We have see two quarters of growth in beer sales in the past 12 months, which is the first time in 10 years that beer sales have been on the increase. Brewers all say that that is as a result of the support that the Government have given to the beer and pub industry.
This is not just about scrapping the beer duty escalator. The Government also gave a £100,000 business rates break for pubs up and down the country, and scrapped Labour’s job tax by scrapping employers’ national insurance contributions for those under 21—important people whom this industry employs. As a result, we are seeing growth and investment. Some £400 million has been invested by the industry in the past 12 months. Only yesterday, Marston’s brewery in Wolverhampton announced 3,000 new jobs as a result of the Government’s support for beer and brewing.
I thank all the right hon. and hon. Members from all parts of the House who supported our campaign to reduce the duty on beer. This was a cross-party campaign. On behalf of CAMRA, SIBA, the British Beer and Pub Association and all beer lovers across the country, we will be raising a glass, saluting the Government and saying, “Cheers, George.”
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