Shropshire's MPs urged to back pubs and breweries in Commons debate
Shropshire's MPs are being urged to support the county's breweries and pubs by backing moves to cut tax on beer in a House of Commons debate tomorrow.
The call has been made by brewers and landlords in the county who claim the debate could hold the key to the future of independent breweries and rural pubs. But it is not yet clear how many Shropshire politicians will play a role.
And Telford MP David Wright has spoken of his fear that the Government could ignore any motion passed.
More than 100,000 people from across Britain have signed an online petition calling for the Government's controversial beer escalator policy to be scrapped.
The policy means the tax on beer rises in line with inflation, but it does not apply to other alcoholic drinks such as cider.
Norman Pearce, landlord of the Sun Inn in Corfton, near Craven Arms, said Shropshire had more than a dozen independent breweries which he believed employed about 200 people.
He has written to Ludlow MP Philip Dunne urging him to support the six breweries in his constitiuency.
Mr Pearce said: "It is a big industry in Shropshire and it is probably one of the biggest employers in the south of the county.
"This is crucial to the future of independently-produced beer and real ale and the future of local pubs.
"We are dependent on a thriving pub industry in order to sell our beers and any further pub closures will hurt us, as well being a huge social loss to the local community. Tax is now on average over a pound a pint in the pub and further rises are just not sustainable."
MP David Wright, whose constituency is home to the Ironbridge Brewery and the All Nations pub in Madley, which brews beer on-site, said: "I am very sympathetic to the brewing industry and the escalator is a problem.
"But the Government has shown it can ignore such back bench debates – as it did last week over the badger cull .
A spokesman for North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson said he would not be able to attend the debate due to other commitments but had received a number of letters from constituents on the issue.
Mr Dunne was unavailable for comment.
By Peter Kitchen
