Local MP Sheryll Murray MP was pleased to receive a special award on Friday at the Jubilee Inn in Pelynt for her work in helping to secure last year’s historic cut in beer duty in the budget. Sheryll was presented with the new ‘Beer Champion award by St Austell Brewery owner James Staughton. He also presented Sheryll with a bottle of his ‘Proper Job’ beer for her work backing the campaign.
The special award is a joint imitative from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) all of whom wanted to recognise Sheryll’s role in supporting the scrapping the Beer Duty Escalator which led to the momentous cut in Beer Duty.
Following her award Sheryll said, “I would like to thank James for my award. Brewing and pubs are important to the South East Cornwall economy and I wanted to do what I could to support this industry. Having worked behind a bar locally in the past I appreciate the hard work and long hours that our publicans put in and I wanted to stop the rises in duty which were punishing their industry.”
Mike Benner, Chief Executive of CAMRA said, “This reward recognises Sheryll for her invaluable support in the campaign to scrap the beer duty escalator. Sheryll really helped in drawing attention to the harm caused by tax increases totalling 42 per cent over four years.”
Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association added, “I want to thank Sheryll for making a huge difference in achieving the historic duty cut in 2013.”
Keith Bott, SIBA Chairman added, “The small local brewers, who make up the bulk of SIBA’s membership, applaud the work of Sheryll in the campaign to scrap the beer duty escalator last year. Brewers now feel more confident about the future of the UK’s brewing industry, and able to make long term business plans.”
ENDS
Pictured: Sheryll receives her award from James Staughton of St Austell Brewery at the Jubilee Inn in Pelynt
Contact: Sheryll Murray MP 01579 344428