I was delighted to receive a special•‘Beer Champion’award for my work in helping to secure last year’s historic cut in beer duty in the Budget.

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The special award is a joint initiative from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), all of whom wanted to recognize my role in supporting Britain’s national drink during 2013.

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Brewing and pubs are vital to the local economy in every part of the country.• All three bodies have joined forces again this year, and are campaigning for a freeze in duty in this year’s Budget on 19th March.

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Mike Benner, Chief Executive of CAMRA, comments:

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“This reward recognises Ian for his invaluable support for local publicans.• Ian really helped in drawing attention to the harm caused by tax increases totaling 42 per cent over four years.”

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Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, comments:

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“I want to thank Ian for making a huge difference in achieving the historic duty cut in 2013. We are delighted to honour this achievement in the best way possible -; with a great new beer.“

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Keith Bott, SIBA chairman, said,

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“The small, local brewers, who make up the bulk of SIBA’s membership, applaud the work of Ian in the campaign to scrap the Beer Duty Escalator last year.• Brewers now feel more confident about the future of the UK’s brewing industry, and able to make long term business plans.“

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