Licensing Minister Gerry Sutcliffe held out a sliver of hope to the trade this week, when he said the Chancellor might re-think automatic duty rises in the next four Budgets.
But only if industry lobbying “gets its act together”.
Asked by the Morning Advertiser if lobbying on duty was now a waste of time, following the inflation plus 2% formula announced in last month’s Budget, Sutcliffe said: “You say that, but we’ve had examples like the fuel levy where the impact on a sector has been massive — and the decision has been deferred.
"I’m not saying that will happen, but that’s where the trade needs to focus the basis of its argument.”
He added: “I think the industry’s right to be upset. We, and I speak as a champion of the pub trade, want the Chancellor to change his mind.
"The next opportunity will be the pre-Budget report in November. But the industry has seriously got to get its act together in working out what its priorities are.”
Sutcliffe said the trade is letting itself down on lobbying: “The industry’s problem is that it’s not united. My message is: sort yourselves out.
"If all that’s said is, ‘Woe is me, everything’s bad, the rise has made it worse, and we’re all going to die,’ that is not the way to do things.
“What the industry’s got to do is say, ‘That wasn’t helpful, but if we do this and this and become more proactive, and more positive, we’ll get where we need to be.’
“The important thing is: what is the industry’s plan for development? People’s drinking and lifestyles are changing. What’s the industry doing about that?”
Sutcliffe also challenged the trade to question if the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs is the right sponsoring body for brewers.
“I think the beer lobby may sit better elsewhere.”
On polycarbonates and the Association of Chief Police Officers’ drive to impose a blanket ban, Sutcliffe said: “There should be no blanket ban nationally. This should be part of local discussions."
