WHEN the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, delivered his autumn budget in October, there was some fantastic news for pub-goers and especially for craft beer and real ale fans.

The way alcohol is taxed is being changed, with a lower rate of duty charged on draught beer and cider served in pubs and social clubs.

This established an important principle in the taxation system for the first time: that pubs are a force for good in our communities and should be better supported to help them survive, thrive and compete with the supermarkets.

One element of these changes is that, from next year, there will be a five per cent cut in duty on beer sold in pubs from kegs and casks of more than 40 litres in size.

But many independent brewers also use smaller containers of 20 and 30 litres and, consequently, they will be unable to benefit from this cut.

Commenting on these changes, Aberconwy MP, Robin Millar, said: “I welcomed the changes to alcohol duty that were announced in the budget last October, but I realised there was more campaigning to be done on behalf of our local breweries here in Aberconwy.

“We are home to some of the finest independent breweries in the UK including ‘Wild Horse Brewing Co’, ‘Conwy Brewery’ and ‘Great Orme Brewery’, and they supply many of their beers in 20 litre and 30 litre kegs and casks.

“Immediately following the announcement of the Budget I met with Dave Faragher, the founder and managing director of Wild Horse Brewing in Llandudno.

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“He explained to me the importance of this issue for them as most of Wild Horse Brewing’s beers are supplied in 30-litre kegs.

“I am determined to do all that I can to support businesses here in Aberconwy.

“I agreed with Dave that 20 and 30 litre kegs and casks should be included in this duty reduction.

“I have already raised this issue in person with the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak MP, and I’ll continue to work with the Chancellor, Treasury ministers and officials and my colleagues in the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group to support craft breweries and to secure this cut.

“Pubs make an invaluable contribution to our communities and to our local economy here in Aberconwy.

“We are blessed to have so many outstanding pubs that showcase local produce, beers and other beverages to the many thousands of visitors that we welcome each year.

“Securing this cut will help many of our pubs, especially those that are renowned for their real ale offering such as the Albion, the Tap Room and the Pont-y-Pair Inn in Betws-y-Coed.

“I am delighted to support SIBA’s (Society of Independent Brewers) #MakeIt20 cross-party campaign and it was a pleasure to attend their informative campaigning event in Parliament (June 7).

“I am confident that this is a campaign that can be won.”