Vale MP Alun Cairns has received a ‘Beer Champion’ award in Parliament this week in recognition of his support for the Long Live the Local campaign and helping to secure consecutive freezes in beer duty. Mr Cairns was presented with a unique tap-handle trophy, created especially for the occasion.
The special award is an initiative from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) to recognise the role of Alun Cairns MP and other MPs from across the House, in supporting Britain’s national drink since the 2017 General Election. The award especially recognises support for successive freezes in beer duty which secured thousands of jobs and millions of pounds worth of investment in the brewing and pubs sector.
Brewing and pubs are vital to the local economy in every part of the country. The Long Live the Local campaign is campaigning for a cut in beer duty in this year’s Budget and so far over 90,000 people have supported the petition this year, including 162 in the Vale of Glamorgan constituency alone.
Mr Cairns said:
“I am passionate about supporting our local pubs across the Vale of Glamorgan, as I recognise that they are an important part of our communities. Often, pubs are the hub of a community that brings people together. The role of the pub needs to be protected and I’m pleased that measures to freeze beer duty have played in role in ensuring that our pubs are supported.”
Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, commented:
“This award recognises Alun Cairns MP for his invaluable support for the Great British pub and Britain’s historic brewing industry. I want to thank Alun for the work done in securing two beer duty freezes in this parliament, and for their support for the brewing and pubs sector since the 2017 election.”
