BY putting a ‘Message in a Barrel’ North Cornwall MP Scott Mann is calling on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to cut beer tax in the Budget on March 16.

Mr Mann has joined with the British Beer and Pub Association, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) in the hope of getting beer tax cut in the upcoming budget review.

He posted his message into a handcrafted barrel, made by Yorkshire brewer Theakston’s.

Mr Mann was among 50 other MPs to add their support to the campaign.

There has been a massive boost in trade for brewers and pubs in the UK after beer duty was cut over the past three budgets — resulting in more affordable beer and increased investment in pubs.

The sector currently supports 900,000 jobs across the country and contributes £22-billion to the UK GDP.

Mr Mann said: “It’s important that we keep this momentum going of supporting the beer industry. North Cornwall has seven breweries which employ local people and make some of the finest ales in the country.

“It’s in breweries where traditional bespoke skills are taught to aspiring apprentices and it’s in pubs where people come together because they lie at the heart of our communities while employing many local people.

“Another penny off beer duty and also cider duty will help both industries which have flourished in recent years in North Cornwall.”

But capaigners feel more is still to be done as beer tax in the UK remains higher than that of neighbouring European countries.

British beer drinkers pay approximately 40% of the beer tax in the EU despite only drinking 12% of the beer.

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “I am delighted that so many MPs have shown their support for cutting beer duty. It is the most direct, targeted way of helping pubs.

“Strong support from MPs always gives a real boost to our campaign — we have built a very strong case for further duty cuts to boost employment and protect pubs, as the industry still faces big pressures.”