A controversial “bottle tax” is putting thousands of jobs, and even British beer itself, at risk, Andy Burnham was warned.
Brewer, unions and glass manufacturers presented cases of ‘Burnham’s Brew’, a specially created IPA, to Number 10 Downing Street and also to the Prime Minister’s Number 10 North, in Manchester.
They say that the Extended Producer Responsibilty (EPR), or ‘bottle tax’, which was introduced as a Net Zero initiative, is a threat to the glass sector and brewing industry.
The EPR puts the financial onus on dealing with waste on the businesses behind the packaging, rather than councils. But it is charged by weight, and because glass is heavy it can attract a higher cost.
Critics say that this pushes producers towards other less recyclable packaging, such as plastic, or imported glass bottles, at the expense of UK manufacturing and recycling.
The GMB union has warned unless the fees – the highest rates in Europe – are reduced, factories could close.
EPR cost brewers £124m last year. Brewers and glass manufacturers believe the tax will also impact investment in the UK.
‘Burnham’s Brew’ is intended to highlight the 4,750 jobs that British Glass, the British Beer and Pub Association and the GMB say are at risk because of EPR.
The move was put together on International Beer Day
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Burnham’s Brew
The move, on International Beer Day, is designed “to urge him to take action and scrap the glass tax”.
A petition was also handed into Downing Street by workers concerned about their jobs.
Craig Tucker, the GMB union’s spokesman on glass, said: “The glass tax is putting at risk an industry that employs 4,750 workers.
“Our brewing industry is something to be proud of. It would be a disaster if it has to start importing bottles and laying off workers on both sides of the Pennines.
Bottle of ‘Burnham’s Brew’
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GMB UNION
“We are urging the PM to look at this issue – perhaps while enjoying a cool pint of this IPA we’ve crafted for him”
Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “Make no mistake, these unfair extra costs risk jobs. Brewers make just 3p profit on a 500ml bottle of beer, so extra levies like this hit the sector and workers hard.
“EPR urgently needs reviewing otherwise British beer, such as this delicious IPA, is at risk.”
Nick Kirk, executive director of British Glass, said: “The glass tax is putting at risk an industry that supports around 5,000 skilled jobs in glass manufacturing and over a hundred thousand jobs across the supply chain.
“Our glass manufacturing is something to be proud of. It would be a disaster if brands switch from glass or import empty beer bottles, which will reduce UK glass production, threatening skilled jobs and investment in communities on both sides of the Pennines.
“We are urging the PM to take a fresh look at this issue, perhaps while enjoying a cool bottle of the IPA we’ve crafted for him”
The Government has been approached for comment.