Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Griffiths Excerpts

Tuesday 1st March 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

On spirits, Mr Andrew Griffiths.

[Andrew Griffiths (Burton) (Con)]

Any changes or reductions in spirit duty will impact on the market for other drinks, such as beer. I draw the House’s attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests, but this Government and this Chancellor scrapped Labour’s hated beer duty escalator and cut beer duty three times, which led to more beer sales and more revenue for the Treasury, and which saved hundreds of pubs. Will he continue that support in future?

[Damian Hinds]

My hon. Friend speaks in exactly the right spirit. He is the representative of Burton, the home of beer, and nobody has done more to advocate for that important British industry. The Budget is on 16 March. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor makes any and all changes to any duties at such fiscal events.