COWDENBEATH MSP Annabelle Ewing has written to the UK’s Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, expressing her concern at the UK Government’s proposed changes to Small Brewer’s Relief.

Speaking on Wednesday, Ms Ewing said: “A number of businesses in my constituency have been in touch with me regarding the UK Government’s proposed changes to Small Brewers’ Relief. They are understandably concerned that the consequence of those plans will be to redistribute relief from smaller to larger breweries.

“At a time when so many businesses in all sectors are struggling to remain afloat, it would completely wrong to increase the financial risk and uncertainty faced by small brewers".

Small brewers such as the Cowdenbeath based Beath Brewing have aired concern about the effect the change could have on their operation.

Added Ms Ewing: “Brexit and Covid are making life hard enough for these companies, the UK Government should not be piling on the pressure.

“For the sake of small brewers and the many consumers who will be outraged by this move’s potential to put their favourite small brewers out of business, I am urging the Secretary of State to reconsider and to devise a solution to the ‘cliff edge’ that does not prejudice small brewers like the current plan does.” See also Page 2.