In a regular series for WB Online, the CAMRA Campaigns team shares the work done across Westminster, the devolved parliaments and local government in support of consumers, pubs, clubs, cider and perry. 

It has been a while since the last update, but the team has been busy over the new year working on CAMRA's reaction to the emergence of the Omicron variant and various detailed policy areas. This bumper update will bring you up to speed on everything that has transpired since November. 

WESTMINSTER

Omicron, financial support, and restrictions

The run up to Christmas was dominated by speculation surrounding the Omicron variant and various statements from ministers and advisors about limiting social contact, which had a severe impact on consumer confidence for the festive period.

We made multiple statements reacting to government announcements:

• CAMRA urges “extreme caution” from government over warning consumers away from pubs here: [https://camra.org.uk/press_release/camra-urges-extreme-caution-from-government-over-warning-consumers-away-from-pubs/]
• CAMRA warns against return of “cruel and unfair” curfew for pubs here: [https://camra.org.uk/press_release/camra-warns-against-return-to-cruel-and-unfair-curfew-for-pubs/]
• New hospitality support package is “first step in the right direction” here: [https://camra.org.uk/press_release/camra-new-hospitality-support-package-first-step-in-the-right-direction/]

Small Brewers’ Relief

The government made a further announcement on Small Brewers’ Relief following the Autumn Budget. While it did not reinstate the lower taper threshold to 5,000HL it was raised from 2,100HL of production to 2,500HL. SIBA estimates this will bring around 70 brewers out of an increased tax bill. The upper taper limit has been extended from 60,000HL to 100,000HL. You can read CAMRA's press comment here: [https://camra.org.uk/press_release/camra-comments-on-small-brewers-relief-announcement/]

Alcohol Duty Review

We responded to the latest round of consultation as part of the Alcohol Duty Review, including publishing our evidence on why the proposed 40L container threshold for the draught beer and cider rates would be unfair for pubs, small brewers and consumers. You can read our submission to the consultation here: [https://www1-camra.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/29140357/FINAL-The-new-alcohol-duty-system-consultation-response-from-CAMRA.pdf]

We released a briefing note and information for branches on how to respond to the consultation. You can see that here: [https://www1-camra.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/07140034/MEMO-Alcohol-Duty-Review-how-branches-can-respond-to-the-Government-consultation-07012022.pdf]

The Campaigns team went to a video call arranged by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group with Exchequer secretary Helen Whately MP and civil servants about the next stage of the review, and to discuss issues such as the proposed 40L container threshold for the draught duty rate.

The team also attended a meeting with Treasury civil servants, HMRC representatives, the National Association of Cider Makers (NACM), and Gabe Cook to discuss the minimum juice content for cider as part of the review. We have also worked with Gabe to defend the farmgate exemption for small cider makers, you can view the press release here: [‘Farmgate’ exemption critical to cider’s survival - CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale]

Spring Statement

We wrote the chancellor ahead of the Spring Statement to express concerns about the cost of living crisis for consumers, and the cost of business crisis for pubs, clubs, and producers. We outlined three steps we wanted him to take to support the industry. You can read the letter here:[https://camra.org.uk/press_release/chancellor-must-take-three-key-steps-with-spring-statement-say-campaigners/]

Unfortunately, the statement contained little new support for pubs or producers. You can see the full press comment in reaction here: [https://camra.org.uk/press_release/camra-tweaks-to-business-support-cancelled-out-by-nosedive-in-disposable-income-for-consumers/]

All-Party Parliamentary Pub Group – secretariat provided by CAMRA 

The Pub Group has concluded the inquiry into the effects of the pandemic on pubs, the people who run them, and the communities that use them. We held a launch event for the final report in Westminster, which was attended by a selection of MPs in industry groups. You can read the final report and recommendations to government here: [Inquiry | Pubs Group (camra.org.uk)]

All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group

The group ran a short inquiry into business rates in England ahead of the Spring Statement. We submitted evidence on behalf of CAMRA, which can be read here.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)

BEIS published the results of the final consultation in relation to the first Statutory Review of the Code (England and Wales) and published amended Regulations to bring the changes into force. The second Statutory Review is due to commence this year. You can read our press comment here: [https://camra.org.uk/press_release/camra-reacts-to-governments-proposed-changes-to-the-pubs-code/]

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

The team had an introductory meeting with civil servants responsible for the alcohol policy at DEFRA. This department covers many areas of focus for us such as deposit return schemes, labelling and wider environmental considerations. We will now take part in the Industry Drinks Forum, which meets a few times a year to discuss relevant policy areas.

National Association of Cider Makers (NACM) reception

A representative from CAMRA’s Real Ale, Cider and Perry Campaigns Committee attended the NACM reception in parliament on 8 March to talk to MPs about support for small ciders makers and the Alcohol Duty Review.

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

Omicron, financial support, and restrictions

Omicron restrictions for pubs, including the table-service only requirement, were lifted in Scotland from 24 January. CAMRA continued to monitor developments around suggestions the Scottish Government may introduce Covid passports for pubs.

Before Christmas we had called for financial support to help the industry deal with the return of restrictions from 27 December. You can read our comments here: [https://camra.org.uk/press_release/pub-goers-group-calls-for-more-help-for-scotlands-locals/] and here: [https://camra.org.uk/press_release/first-ministers-statement-another-blow-for-scotlands-pubs-camra/] 

A December and January Business Support Top Up scheme offered one-off grant payments of £4,500 or £6,800 for hospitality businesses.

Cross Party Group on Beer and Pubs – secretariat service provided in part by CAMRA

The recently re-established Cross Party Group on Beer and Pubs in the Scottish Parliament held its first event in early March. MSPs, staff members and industry representatives were hosted by Bellfield Brewery for a tour and tasting.

We have been working with other organisations that provide a secretariat service to develop a calendar of events and activities for the rest of the year.

Scottish Pubs Code

CAMRA made a formal submission to the Scottish Government’s part 1 consultation on the implementation of the Tied Pubs (Scotland) Act. The consultation covered Market Rent Only (MRO) and the guest beer provision. CAMRA argued for better protections for tied tenants when it comes to the MRO process in Scotland, learning lessons from the provisions in England and Wales.

CAMRA also raised concerns about the need to ensure the wording of the guest beer provision wouldn't lead to a loophole allowing pub owning businesses, global brewers and distribution companies to exploit the guest beer provision. The fear is they could put undue pressure on tied pub tenants to use the right to stock smaller or new brands under the 60,000 hectolitres threshold that are similar to the core beers or mass-produced lagers already offered to the tenant by the owner. A part 2 consultation covering all other aspects of the Code is expecting in the coming months.

The position of adjudicator is currently being advertised. It is anticipated the adjudicator will be in post from autumn 2022, with the code coming into force in spring 2023.

SENEDD CYMRU

Omicron, financial support, and restrictions

Covid restrictions for pubs were lifted from 28 January. Before Christmas we had called for financial support to help the industry deal with the return of restrictions from 26 December. You can read the release here: [https://camra.org.uk/press_release/return-to-table-service-devastating-news-for-welsh-pubs-camra/]

Grants of £2,000, £4,000 or £6,000 have been made available by the Welsh government.

Cross Party Group on Beer and Pubs

CAMRA, SIBA, the Welsh Drinks Cluster and a representative from the Westminster All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group met with the chair of the Cross Party Group on Beer and Pubs, Jack Sargeant MS, and agreed a programme of events and activities for the rest of the year.

Permitted Development Rights

We submitted a response to the Welsh Government’s recent consultation on changes to permitted development rights, arguing against permanently removing the need for planning permission for change of use in town centres.

Our response also called for changes to permitted development rights to ensure demolition or change of use of a public house should always require planning permission; changes to use class orders to allow for greater protections and safeguards to be applied to public houses; and asking the Welsh Government to consider introducing an Asset of Community Value scheme.

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

Covid recovery and reopening

Omicron restrictions including table-service only and Covid passports were lifted on 26 January. We responded to the announcement here: [https://camra.org.uk/press_release/support-nis-local-pubs-breweries-as-restrictions-are-lifted/]

We called for financial support when restrictions were introduced [https://camra.org.uk/press_release/ni-pub-goers-call-for-urgent-support-as-businesses-start-closing-their-doors-until-the-new-year/] and the NI Executive introduced an Omicron Hospitality Payment of £10,000, £15,000 or £20,000. We engaged with MLAs to try and get support for breweries and cider producers, as well as pubs.

Assembly elections

Elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly will be held in the first week of May 2022. An e-lobby of candidates, with associated pledge and promotional materials, as well as a more in-depth CAMRA NI manifesto is being produced to allow members to engage with potential MLAs.

Licensing law reform

A further tranche of provisions in the Licensing (Amendment) Act 2021 will come into force in April 2022:

• allowing a brewery or cider producer to apply for a licence to sell their own produce for consumption off the premises (via a brewery shop or online sales)
• allowing a brewery or cider producer to apply for a permit to sell their own produce at a local market or fair
• allowing the Department for Communities to designate an event as a major event. This would allow the likes of the BBC Good Food Show or the Open golf tournament to benefit from more liberal licensing laws

However, there have been delays in bringing forward the provisions to allow for taproom licences for local producers. It is expected that these will come into force in summer 2022 or October 2022, depending on the political situation following May’s Assembly election. The delay has been caused by the need for new court documents and application processes to be agreed before a producer can apply for a taproom licence.

If any CAMRA member wants campaigning advice, the Campaigns Team is here to help – just email campaigns@camra.org.uk