While the 1p cut in beer duty and the scrapping of the duty escalator brought some cheer to the hard-pressed drinks industry, producers of the West’s traditional tipple cider were bitter they had been left out.
Martin Thatcher, managing director of Thatchers Cider in Sandford, said: “We welcome the news that the Chancellor believes the duty escalator is flawed, but we are disappointed he has decided to remove it just for beer.
“We look forward to having the opportunity to discuss with Government the removal of the duty escalator for all alcohol, including cider.
“Cider makers will recognise the benefit for a hard-pressed pub industry from this move. As vibrant pubs have a drinks offer much broader than just beer, the abolition of the escalator for all alcohol would have gone further.”
