George Osborne drinks to Marston's jobs announcement

Chancellor George Osborne visited Marston's brewery yesterday as it announced the creation of 3,000 jobs.

In last week's budget Osborne announced that beer duty was to be cut by a penny for the second year in a row.

Martson's, which employs 13,000 people and runs over 2,000 pubs, said the move allowed it to invest in new jobs.

Marston's chief executive Ralph Findlay said: "Marston's is creating 3,000 new jobs over the next two years in its programme to build new pub restaurants across the UK.

Two consecutive Budgets have been positive for the pub and brewing industry, which gives the business confidence to plan continued investment and provides clarity for forward planning."

Visiting Marston's Wolverhampton brewery, Osborne added: "I was delighted to be able to take a penny off the price of a pint in last week's Budget for the second year in a row. Pubs are a vital part of British communities and I want to do all I can to support them.

"Our economic plan is all about creating jobs and economic security. Our pubs and brewers also employ thousands of people up and down the country and it is great news that Marston's are today creating 3,000 new jobs following the Budget."

British Beer and Pub Association chief executive Brigid Simmonds said the cut in beer duty had been welcomed by the wider industry.

"The vast majority of our member companies have already been in touch to express their delight at the Budget. The duty cut is being passed on to customers," she said. "It's a great vote of confidence in the Budget, and very good news for all those who want to enjoy an affordable pint in the Great British pub."

Budget sees beer duty cut and scrapping of alcohol duty escalator >>