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17
Aug 2020
Harrogate microbrewery signs petition against tax increase
Over 17,000 microbreweries have signed a petition to stop government plans on a tax increase. Harrogate Brewing Co. is one of many to object.
In July, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, announced plans to remove a 50% tax relief on the general beer duty rate for microbreweries.
Currently the Small Brewers Relief (SBR) is given to all microbreweries making up to 5000 hectolitres (880,000 pints) a year. Under his new proposal only much smaller microbreweries will continue to get relief.
Joe Joyce, owner of family-run Harrogate Brewing Co. said:
First set up in 2002, the purpose of SBR was to help newer breweries become profitable and compete against big breweries. Now, there's risk it could become a lot harder to even enter the beer-making industry.
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The idea was announced as part of July's fiscal statement. It could come into affect from October when the government's Autumn budget is announced.
Mr Joyce said:
Grassroots organisation Campaign for Pubs, run by leading pub campaigners and publicans, is heavily endorsing the petition which can be found on the government website.
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