SMALL BREWERIES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Early day motion 784, tabled 11 October 2010 by Greg Mulholland (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 21 members.

That this House welcomes the success of small breweries in the UK; notes that there are now 767 real ale breweries in the UK, a fourfold increase in the last 40 years which includes 78 new breweries in the last year alone; further notes that real ale is bucking a declining UK beer market with a growth in the value of the real ale market in 2009 of five per cent. with 3,000 more pubs now serving cask ale; recognises that the introduction of small breweries' relief in 2002 continues to foster growth in the number of small breweriesand a growing real ale market; further notes the success of small breweries' relief in enabling business investment by small breweries; recognises the importance of small breweries to economic growth, tourism, consumers and the nation's pubs; and urges the Government to continue to support small brewers.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 9, Labour 8, Conservative 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1.