Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what his Department is doing to support independent breweries in England.

The Government fully recognises the importance of independent breweries and pubs. We are committed to maintaining a beer and pub sector that is diverse, competitive and rooted in local communities, supporting jobs, investment and growth across towns and villages.

We have conducted a review of the beer market to determine whether there are any structural barriers preventing small breweries from accessing pubs, I am currently considering the findings of this review alongside hearing evidence directly from industry stakeholders and representative bodies with whom I am meeting over the next month. This includes meeting with small brewery owners and representatives from the Society of Independent Brewers.

Additionally, Small Producer Relief (SPR) supports smaller producers by allowing those producing up to 4,500 hectolitres a year to pay reduced duty on products below 8.5% ABV. At Budget 2025, the Government increased the cash discount for small producers, maintaining the value of SPR relative to main duty rates.