News

MP backs ‘life line’ for pubs and brewers

Published

5 years ago

March 25, 2021

PRESELI MP Stephen Crabb has added his voice to calls to cut duty for draught beer sold in pubs to help the industry recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The plan, which would see pubs pay lower duty on draught beer than in paid by supermarket operators on bottles and cans, would target support to Britain’s pub trade.

Stephen Crabb said: “Pembrokeshire’s pubs are so important to our communities but have suffered very badly during lockdown. While supermarkets have been trading healthily throughout the pandemic, pubs have been forced to close and must adopt many expensive measures to keep the public covid safe on reopening.

“Because 98% of all beer drunk in pubs is brewed in Britain, and beer accounts for almost half of all drinks they sell, cutting duty on draught beer would target help and support to pubs.”

Stephen Crabb was one of 76 Conservative MPs who wrote to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak asking him to introduce a lower draught beer duty on beer sold in pubs and clubs.

Keith Bott, owner of Titanic Brewery & former Chair of SIBA, the Society of Independent Brewers, who is coordinating the campaign said: “I would like to thank Stephen and his colleagues for giving their support to Britain’s pubs and breweries by backing a Draught Beer Duty cut. This has been an extremely difficult year, and with the extra costs of being covid safe, many pubs are facing an uncertain future. Cutting duty on draught beer will get support into the hands of publicans and Brewers and allow them to survive and invest in their futures”

Stephen added: “The Government has already provided huge financial assistance to businesses across the country, but a Draught Beer Duty cut could really help by boosting investment and creating new jobs in the hospitality sector. I’m looking forward to enjoying a visit to my local as soon as we can, and I would urge everyone to get out and enjoy a pint of great British beer in their local community pub”

At the end of last year Stephen Crabb joined calls for the Chancellor to reconsider changes to a scheme which has transformed the small brewing sector in the UK.

In a joint letter to Rishi Sunak, Stephen Crabb argues that changing Small Breweries’ Relief (SBR) will put a great British success story under threat at a time when many businesses are struggling to survive.

Under the current system, small breweries pay a proportionate amount of tax on the small amount of beer they produce compared to the global companies that dominate the industry. Up to 5,000 hectolitres – which is about 900,000 pints – they pay 50% of beer duty to the Treasury.

Pembrokeshire is home to a number of small breweries, including Bluestone Brewing, Gwaun Valley Brewery and the newly established St Davids Old Farmhouse Brewery.

Speaking in December, Stephen Crabb said: “Our small independent brewers are a real success story, and the support provided through Small Breweries’ Relief is key to their future. These businesses have been severely impacted by the Covid pandemic and now is not the time to be making changes to this scheme.”

At the time, Chief Executive of the Society of Independent Brewers, James Calder said: “SBR has been a great success, revolutionising brewing in the UK and allowing more brewers to start up and compete against the global companies that dominate beer in our country. The Chancellor is forcing changes on small breweries, which we have not asked for and do not support. The Treasury needs to urgently reverse course, not reduce the 50% threshold below 5,000hl and give the industry something to cheer about.”

News

Search under way in Pembroke Dock for missing man Lee

Published

22 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Coastguard, RNLI and rescue helicopter launched as fears grow he entered the water

A MAJOR search and rescue operation is under way tonight (Sunday) in the Pembroke Dock and Pennar areas as emergency services look for 48-year-old Lee, who has been reported missing and is feared to have entered the water near the Pennar estuary.

Dyfed-Powys Police issued an urgent appeal earlier today after Lee, who is from Cardigan, failed to return home. He was last seen at around 5:00pm on Saturday (December 13) on CCTV in Pembroke Dock. The image shows him travelling on foot and carrying bags.

Lee is described as 5ft 10in tall, of medium build, with short light-brown hair and short facial hair. At the time he was wearing a blue/grey Christmas jumper, a red hat, dark trousers and light trainers. Police say he is also known to travel by train.

Concerns escalated this afternoon after officers received information suggesting Lee may have entered the water around the Pennar estuary.

HM Coastguard teams and the RNLI lifeboat from Angle have been searching the shoreline and waterway since mid-afternoon. A rescue helicopter from Cornwall (operating out of RAF St Mawgan/Cornwall Airport) is now assisting with aerial searches. The operation is ongoing in increasingly challenging conditions.

Search crews are dealing with cold, wet and windy weather, with conditions expected to worsen significantly overnight. An amber Met Office warning for heavy rain comes into force at 4:00am on Monday (15 December), with forecasters warning of fast-flowing floodwater and hazardous visibility across Pembrokeshire.

Police are urging anyone who may have seen Lee, or who has information that could help the search, to make contact immediately by calling phoning: 101. Quote reference: DP-20251214-176

News

Search under way in Pembroke as man reported missing

Published

42 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Rescue teams battle worsening weather ahead of amber rain warning

A MULTI-AGENCY search and rescue operation is under way in the Pembroke area amid deteriorating weather conditions, after concerns were raised for the welfare of a man who is now considered missing.

HM Coastguard and the RNLI lifeboat are on scene, and a rescue helicopter from Cornwall — operating out of RAF St Mawgan/Cornwall Airport — has arrived to support the search, which is continuing in cold, wet and windy conditions.

The operation comes as an amber weather warning for heavy rain is due to take effect from 4:00am on Monday, December 15, with forecasters warning of hazardous conditions across Pembrokeshire.

News

Amber weather warning as ‘danger to life’ rain set to hit Pembrokeshire

Published

4 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Dyfed-Powys Police and council teams prepare as Monday deluge expected

COMMUNITIES across Pembrokeshire are being urged to brace for severe weather after the Met Office issued an amber “danger to life” warning for heavy rain, covering the county from 4:00am to 9:00pm on Monday (Dec 15).

Up to 80mm of rain is expected widely, with 100mm possible on higher ground in north Pembrokeshire and the Preseli foothills. With rivers already running high following weeks of persistent wet weather, Natural Resources Wales says there is a heightened risk of flooding in low-lying areas, including parts of Haverfordwest, Remington Bridge, Merlin’s Bridge, Tenby, Neyland and along the Western Cleddau.

Travel disruption likely

The Met Office warns that fast-flowing or deep floodwater could pose a danger to life, with road flooding likely on key Pembrokeshire routes such as the A40, A487 and A478. Bus and rail services may face disruption.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers would be monitoring known flood hotspots throughout Monday and urged drivers to avoid non-essential travel during the worst of the downpours.

A police spokesperson said: “Please plan ahead. Do not risk driving through floodwater. Conditions may change very quickly.”

Yellow warnings already in place

A yellow rain warning is active for southwest Wales from midnight tonight (Sun 14 Dec). A separate yellow warning for mid and north Wales began this afternoon.

Pembrokeshire County Council said its highways and emergency planning teams are on standby, with extra staff monitoring river gauges and drainage across the county. Sandbags are available where required.

Residents urged to prepare

Natural Resources Wales is advising residents in flood-prone areas to take precautions today, including:

Checking local flood alerts
Moving valuables upstairs where possible
Securing outdoor items against strong winds
Checking on vulnerable neighbours

The Herald understands that emergency services expect the heaviest rainfall between 6:00am and 3:00pm on Monday, with further unsettled weather forecast later in the week.

More updates to follow

This is a developing story. The Pembrokeshire Herald will bring live updates as information comes in from the Met Office, NRW, PCC and emergency services.