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Pub beer sales slump to low point | Pub beer sales slump to low point |
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Beer sales in pubs have slumped to their lowest level since the 1930s, brewery representatives have said. | Beer sales in pubs have slumped to their lowest level since the 1930s, brewery representatives have said. |
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) figures show total beer sales are down 22% - some seven million pints fewer than the market's peak in 1979. | |
Since then there has been a 49% drop in pub sales, which has been partly offset by an increase in purchases from shops. | Since then there has been a 49% drop in pub sales, which has been partly offset by an increase in purchases from shops. |
Last week, the Alcohol Health Alliance called for alcohol tax to rise but the BBPA wants a freeze on beer duty. | Last week, the Alcohol Health Alliance called for alcohol tax to rise but the BBPA wants a freeze on beer duty. |
'National drink' | 'National drink' |
In a letter to MPs, the association said increases in costs such as barley, malt, glass, aluminium and energy were cutting brewers' profits. | In a letter to MPs, the association said increases in costs such as barley, malt, glass, aluminium and energy were cutting brewers' profits. |
The BBPA said tax on beer had increased by 27% since 1997 - compared to 16% for wine, 3% for spirits and 11% for cider. | The BBPA said tax on beer had increased by 27% since 1997 - compared to 16% for wine, 3% for spirits and 11% for cider. |
BBPA chief executive Rob Hayward told MPs: "We believe the benefits that have been enjoyed by other drinks from a tax freeze should be extended to Britain's national drink - beer. | BBPA chief executive Rob Hayward told MPs: "We believe the benefits that have been enjoyed by other drinks from a tax freeze should be extended to Britain's national drink - beer. |
"We are calling for government policy to encourage and support Britain's businesses. | "We are calling for government policy to encourage and support Britain's businesses. |
"British brewers and beers are of world renown. Please join us in our call to the Chancellor to freeze beer duty." | "British brewers and beers are of world renown. Please join us in our call to the Chancellor to freeze beer duty." |
Alcohol deaths | Alcohol deaths |
The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) said it backed the BBPA's call over tax on beer "completely". | The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) said it backed the BBPA's call over tax on beer "completely". |
A spokesman said: "It is no coincidence that Britain has the highest level of excise duty in the EU and sales in the on-trade are falling, and yet binge-drinking is on the increase as supermarkets cynically exploit the consumer by offering cut-price booze to drink at home. | A spokesman said: "It is no coincidence that Britain has the highest level of excise duty in the EU and sales in the on-trade are falling, and yet binge-drinking is on the increase as supermarkets cynically exploit the consumer by offering cut-price booze to drink at home. |
"A pub is the proper place to enjoy a drink in a responsible and regulated atmosphere." | "A pub is the proper place to enjoy a drink in a responsible and regulated atmosphere." |
The Alcohol Health Alliance - a new group of 24 leading health organisations - said taxes on alcohol should be increased and advertising restrictions tightened. | The Alcohol Health Alliance - a new group of 24 leading health organisations - said taxes on alcohol should be increased and advertising restrictions tightened. |
Raising the price of alcohol by 10% could cut alcohol-related deaths by between 10% and 30%, the organisation said. | Raising the price of alcohol by 10% could cut alcohol-related deaths by between 10% and 30%, the organisation said. |
The BBPA's members brew 98% of the UK's beer and include nearly two-thirds of the country's 58,000 pubs. | The BBPA's members brew 98% of the UK's beer and include nearly two-thirds of the country's 58,000 pubs. |