Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans reforms to encourage (a) investment and (b) growth in the (i) beer and (ii) pub sector.

The Government recognises the vital role that pubs play in supporting communities and local economies such as in Mid Bedfordshire.

That’s why we are streamlining licensing via a new National Licensing Policy Framework to be more modern, proportionate, and enabling. This includes looking to removing the requirement for printed notices in local newspapers, increasing the maximum entitlement for temporary event notices and supporting the removal of outdated licence conditions.

We have increased the generosity of the discount available for small brewers, by increasing the relative value of the Small Producers Relief discount, compared to the main duty rates, for both draught and non-draught products. We have cut alcohol duty on draught products saving the sector over £85m annually and we are also reviewing the beer market to enable small brewers better access to local pubs.

To support businesses, including breweries, invest and grow, the Government committed to keeping a permanent full expensing system, as well as the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA). Full expensing allows companies to claim 100 per cent capital allowances on qualifying main rate investments. The more flexible AIA allows businesses to deduct the entire cost of investments, up to £1 million per year, including qualifying second-hand assets and assets bought for leasing or hiring.

And finally, the Government has protected the smallest businesses from the impact of the increase to Employer National Insurance by more than doubling the Employment Allowance to £10,500, and will permanently lower tax for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure properties with rateable values below 500,000.