by ADRIAN JENKINS

BURTON’S brewing giants have backed calls for the Government to axe plans to raise beer tax by 40 per cent over four years after new figures showed a drop in drinking.

Revenue and customs data revealing a three per cent fall in consumption last year prompted both Coors and Marston’s to endorse the British Beer and Pub Association’s (BBPA) demand for the Treasury to axe the proposed hike.

Their support is the latest shot across the bows of ministers who see the increase as a way of raising revenue to keep Britain’s cash-strapped economy afloat while tackling its spiralling binge-drinking culture.

Despite pleas from campaigners who say their plans could be ‘the final nail in the coffin’ of more ailing pubs, they have shown no sign of performing the U-turn demanded by an industry reeling from rising costs and the smoking ban.

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