British Beer and Pub Association

The British Beer & Pub Association is amongst the leading representatives of the alcohol industry in the UK. Their membership accounts for 98% of all British brewed beer and more than half of all pubs in the country. It is the parent organisation of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association

The association launched a campaign against tax increases on beer arguing that the industry is 'burdened with an unfair tax regime'. They claim that the Scottish ban on smoking in public places, with England & Wales set to follow, means that the industry needs a tax freeze to 'ease in' the changes. The press release issued by the BBPA following the recent budget increase carried the headline 'Brown Batters Beer'. ^[1]

In 2006 the BBPA published an 'alcohol statistics handbook' which again reiterates their call for a tax amnesty "The UK Government continues to enjoy very healthy tax revenues from the alcohol sector, with income from excise duties and VAT reaching nearly £14 billion in 2005/2006. Taxes on Britain's beer alone raised £6 billion. On a 'pence-per-pint' basis across the European Union, UK beer is out-taxed only in Finland and Ireland, and is over three times the EU average. Even in high tax Sweden, duty rates don't exceed those in the UK. On the final price of a typical British pint, taxes account for 31%."

Other claims made in the document are that alcohol consumption in the UK is falling, despite beer remaining the UK's favourite drink accounting for 43% of the market. They are also keen to emphasise that Britons still drink less alcohol per head than most other European countries. The handbook provides data to show that 11 European countries across western and central Europe drink more alcohol than the British - including the French, Germans, and Spanish. ^[2]

Directors

• John Dunsmore Scottish & Newcastle Chairman
• Michael Turner Fuller Smith and Turner Vice Chair
• Giles Thornly Punch Taverns Vice Chair
• Benet Slay
• Christopher Searle
• Richard S. Evans
• Peter Swinburn
• Douglas Clydesdale
• John Lawson Wembridge Mountstevens

^[3]

Notes

1. ^ BBPA Web Site BBPA About Us Accessed March 2007
2. ^ BBPA Web Site New stats handbook shows the latest trends in UK drinks' industry Accessed March 2007
3. ^ FAME Company Report S&N Accessed April 2007