DUTY ON BEER

That this House urges the Chancellor to use his Pre-Budget Statement to reverse the eight per cent. beer duty increase when value added tax (VAT) returns to its full rate on 1 January 2010; notes that the duty increase denied the British beer and pub industry the benefits of the VAT cut and that pub closures are now running at a record high of more than 50 a week; further notes that the planned VAT increase in January will result in an extra six pence on an average pint of beer and lower tax revenues to HM Treasury; and calls on the Government to pursue a tax policy that benefits low strength alcoholic drinks like beer, Britain's national drink and is fair to an industry that employs more than half a million people and plays a crucial part in supporting the economic and social wellbeing of communities across the UK.