A SWINDON brewery has commended Philip Hammond’s freeze on alcohol duty.

George Arkell, managing director at Arkell’s Brewery based in Upper Stratton, thinks the move will help support the industry in the coming year and recognises the important role pubs play in Swindon’s community.

Delivering his much anticipated autumn statement on Wednesday, the Chancellor promised a duty freeze on ciders, wines, spirits and beer.

An exception to the freeze is low-quality alcohol – so-called ‘white ciders’ – which will see an increase in duties from 2019.

Mr Hammond also pledged to extend the £1,000 discount for pubs with a rateable value of less than £100,000 until March 2019, highlighting ‘the thousands of small pubs that are at the heart of so many of our communities’.

“We welcome the freeze on beer duty as well as the extension of the business rates discount for the smaller pubs,” said Mr Arkell.

“It is good news that the Government understands the important role pubs and beer play as part of our community, and have signalled their intention to support both over the next fiscal year."

Arkell’s, which has been brewing since 1843 and owns dozens of pubs across the country, is Swindon’s oldest company and one of the oldest traditional breweries still operating in Britain.

The Chancellor told the House of Commons in his statement: "Excessive alcohol consumption by the most vulnerable people is all too often through cheap, high-strength, low-quality products — especially so-called white ciders.

“I want to pay tribute to the campaign led by my honourable friend for Congleton on this issue. And so, following our recent consultation, we will legislate to increase duty on these products from 2019.

“But recognising the pressure on household budgets, and backing our Great British pubs, duties on other ciders, wines, spirits and on beer will be frozen.

“This will mean a bottle of whisky will be £1.15 less in 2018 than if we had continued with Labour’s plans. A pint of beer will also be 12p less.

“So, merry Christmas, Mr Deputy Speaker.”