The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has responded to the news the Budget will take place on March 11, during the BeerX event.
It’s a day when some 1,000 representatives from the beer and brewing industry will be together, waiting to hear the ruling on the future of small breweries’ relief.
SIBA chief executive, James Calder, said: “The timing could not be more apt for the first Budget under the new government, as thousands of brewers and industry representatives from the British independent craft brewing industry will be together in Liverpool for BeerX UK, waiting to hear what will happen not only on small breweries’ relief, but also on beer duty and business rates.
“Small breweries relief has been a huge success and has helped the British brewing industry grow to be one of the most exciting and vibrant in the world. In their reform of the system, SIBA are calling on the government to commit to smoothing the ‘cliff edge’ above 5,000 hectolitres (hl), which is around 880,000 pints of beer, and will incentivise brewers to grow.
“Importantly, though, this reform must come without withdrawing any relief for any brewer below 5,000hl, where SBR is absolutely vital and where any reduction could lead to widespread small brewery closures.”
