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MPs ready to grill ministers on plight of pubs

Beer Group ready for two major meetings on state of the industry

Scores of MPs are expected to quiz ministers about the plight of the pub industry at a summit meeting next month.

Around 70 MPs have indicated they will attend the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group’s meeting with five ministers to discuss what action can be taken to help pubs.

Licensing minister Gerry Sutcliffe, Home Office minister Alan Campbell, public health minister Dawn Primarolo, Treasury minister Angela Eagle and local government minister John Healey will all be quizzed at the meeting on March 4.

So far 50 MPs have confirmed they will attend.

Robert Humphreys, Beer Group secretary, said: “We have never had five ministers in a room before so this is unprecedented for us and probably any other all-party group for that matter.

“We hope there will be some really useful contributions and some really constructive responses from the ministers.”

Meanwhile speakers have been confirmed for the Beer Group’s Pre-Budget Beer and Pub Briefing on Tuesday.

Among those who will talk about the state of the UK pub and brewing sector to the group are Jonathan Neame, chief executive of Shepherd Neame; Mike Benner, Campaign for Real Ale chief executive and David Dryden, vice president Anheuser Busch UK & Ireland.