MPs honoured with special ‘Beer Champions’ award in Parliament
Mike Benner with Priti Patel, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury; Brigid Simmonds, BBPA chief executive and Andrew Griffiths, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group
Members of Parliament who have gone the extra mile to support Britain’s brewing and pub industries have been honoured with an award at a special event in Parliament.
MPs were presented with their ‘Beer Champions’ award, a certificate and souvenir pump clip, in a joint initiative from SIBA and the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA). MPs at the event were also invited to try their hand behind the bar and “pour the perfect pint”.
SIBA and the BBPA wanted to recognise the role of MPs who supported Britain’s national drink during the 2010-2015 Parliament. The Beer Champions scheme recognises acts of advocacy in Parliament, in votes, supportive motions, and debates.
In particular, the award highlights support in securing two historic cuts in beer duty in the 2013 and 2014 Budgets, helping to secure jobs, investment and keeping beer affordable for consumers.
SIBA managing director Mike Benner comments:
“We are enormously grateful to the MPs whose support for British beer over recent years has created a far more optimistic outlook for our industry. As a result of the consecutive beer duty cuts, our members feel more confident about the future of British brewing and are investing in their business and creating local employment, with an estimated 1,600 new jobs in SIBA breweries last year.
“With at least one independent brewery now operating in almost every parliamentary constituency, the Beer Champions announced today will I’m sure be invited to celebrate their success in their home town, with a pint of great, locally brewed beer.”
Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, comments:
“MPs of all parties made a huge difference in achieving the second historic duty cuts in 2013 and 2014, and deserve our thanks and recognition. We are delighted to honour their contribution to this achievement. I hope even more MPs will join calls for a third duty cut in this year’s Budget on 18 March.”
Beers from two SIBA brewers, Castle Rock’s Harvest Pale and Saltaire Pride from Saltaire Brewery, were enjoyed by the Beer Champions at the launch event in Westminster.
