THE Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has said the combination of beer duty and VAT now amounts to more than £1 per pint.

Although the Chancellor said in his speech yesterday that alcohol rates remain unchanged, existing plans were already in place to increase beer tax in line with inflation and to impose 25 per cent tax on beers of 7.5 per cent ABV and above, although it will halve tax on beers at or below 2.8 per cent ABV. CAMRA said the average price of a pint of real ale in Britain was £2.84, and the average price of a pint of lager was £3.02, which it expects to increase by 10 pence per pint.

Mike Benner, chief executive of CAMRA, said: “It is incredible to consider that Britain’s beer drinkers are forced to endure the second highest rate of beer tax in Europe, particularly when the Prime Minister promised a “pub friendly Government” with the pub at the heart of the Big Society. By penalising the vast majority of responsible pub goers, the Government is not getting to the root of the problem, which remains cheap alcohol sold in an irresponsible manner in the off trade.”