Question
I welcome the fact that a significant number of independent high street businesses across Bexleyheath and Crayford will be released from having to pay business rates from next April as a result of those decisions. One of those businesses is the Bird & Barrel micropub in Barnehurst, which also runs the hugely popular Bexley Brewery in Slade Green. Will the Minister outline the additional support that will be given to small alcohol producers and brewers as a result of the decisions in the Budget?
Answer
I thank my hon. Friend for letting us know about the Bird & Barrel and Bexley Brewery, which both sound worth a visit. I am very glad that at the Budget last week the Chancellor was able to offer support specifically for small brewers by announcing an increase in the generosity of small producer relief. The changes made move to a more generous discount taper for products under 3.5% ABV and uprate the marginal discount for products between 3.5% and 8.4% by retail prices index plus an additional 10%. That will provide £10 million of support per year to over 2,000 small alcohol producers across the country.
Verdict: GREEN (92/100)
The reply directly answers the question about what extra support small producers and brewers will receive from the Budget. It explains the change to the small producer relief discount, including a more generous taper for lower-strength products and an RPI+10% uprating for products between 3.5% and 8.4% ABV. It also puts the total support at about £10 million a year for over 2,000 small alcohol producers, so the asker would have the specific information needed to move on.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| What additional support the Government will give to small alcohol producers and brewers as a result of the Budget decisions. | Addressed | Direct | The reply names the Budget's increase in small producer relief for small brewers, specifies the mechanics (a more generous discount taper under 3.5% ABV and a RPI+10% uprating of the marginal discount for 3.5%–8.4% products), and quantifies the support at £10 million per year for over 2,000 small alcohol producers. This is a concrete, direct answer to what additional support small producers and brewers will receive as a result of the Budget. |