Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to support the brewery and pub sector in its recovery from covid-19 lockdowns as part of his Department’s review of alcohol duty; and if he will make a statement.

Pubs and breweries continue to benefit from a variety of support measures, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which has been extended until the end of September 2021; a new UK-wide recovery loan scheme to make available loans between £25,001 and £10 million; and the Additional Restrictions Grant, which provides an additional £425 million of discretionary funding to support local businesses.

Recognising the challenges faced by the beer and pub industry, the Government also decided to freeze alcohol duty at the 2021 Budget.

The alcohol duty review is considering long-term reforms, and further updates will be provided in due course. The Government continues to keep all taxes under review.