Report warns over beer tax rises

A pint of beer in a pub with friends is becoming more unaffordable as they continue to suffer from lost sales because of "sharp rises" in tax and VAT, according to a new report.

The British Beer & Pub Association said pub beer sales were down by 4.3% from July to September compared with last year - equivalent to 45 million fewer pints over the quarter - while sales increased in supermarkets and off-licences.