This afternoon I met with CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) to discuss the ongoing review into Small Breweries Relief (SBR), and the importance of pubs to our local economies.
I was really pleased to have the opportunity to speak with the Chairman of CAMRA, Nik Antona, and Campaigns Officer Camilla Weddell, to hear more about what CAMRA is doing to press the Government on the proposed changes to SBR. This is a key issue for our two fantastic local breweries - Signal and Anspach & Hobday - and one I am working closely with them and SIBA on to try and resolve.
It was good to hear that CAMRA is actively pushing the petition, started by Jack of Anspach & Hobday, to reverse the proposed changes, and that they hope it will surpass 100,000 signatures soon, which would trigger an automatic debate in Parliament via the Petitions Committee, of which I am a member.
We also spoke about our shared passion for the pubs industry, and the key role that they play in the local economy, particularly in terms of jobs, and how important it is that they are able to fully reopen safely as soon as possible.
I will be continuing to work with CAMRA, SIBA, our local breweries and our local pubs to offer my support in any way that I can.
You can find out more about the petition here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/334066
