The BBPA has published its response to the government’s Industrial Strategy consultation, identifying key areas in which the proposals overlook the economic contribution of breweries and pubs, potentially endangering millions of jobs.

The BBPA has warned the government that its proposed Industrial Strategy overlooks the UK’s entire brewery and pub sector, stating the oversight could lead to significant economic and cultural ramifications, while having a negative impact on employment.

Publishing its consultation response last week, the trade body called on policy makers to acknowledge the billions of pounds of financial contributions the industry makes to the Treasury each year, or risk stifling any hope of growth.

“The Industrial Strategy is a real opportunity for government to enable brewers and pubs to help build a brighter, more prosperous UK,” said BBPA’s director of strategy and policy Andy Tighe. “However, it is alarming that the sector is currently overlooked in the strategy.”

“Brewers and pubs pour billions into the economy, support more than one million jobs, from farmers to publicans, and are at the heart of local economies and communities throughout the UK.”

Research commissioned by the BBPA from Oxford Economics reveals that more than half of the UK pub sector’s workforce is aged between 16 and 24, up from 281,770 in 2019 to 350,000 this year, a figure equivalent to 10 percent of all under-25s in the job market.

Before the Budget, the NICs for this group stood at £82m, however under the latest changes, this will rise to £153m.

“We stand ready to help government swiftly deliver the change that is needed to break down the barriers that stop our sector from contributing even more to the economy and employing more people than ever before.”