The beer industry in the UK provides nearly 900,000 jobs and contributes £23bn annually to the UK economy. The sector also supports the employment of a large number of people in underrepresented groups such as young people and those in regions with relatively high levels of unemployment.
However, the government levies a duty on beer which has had a detrimental impact on the beer industry. As a result, beer duty places the employment prospects, especially those of the young and those living in regions where unemployment is relatively high, in peril.