The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has called on the government for support following a spate of bad news for breweries.

The appeal has been backed by the boss of Stroud Brewery  who wants to see an increase in the duty differential between small, packaged beer and bulk draught.

CAMRA's call follows the news that Yorkshire-based Elland Brewery is facing liquidation, and reports that Adnams is looking at options to bolster its funding.

CAMRA chairman Nik Antona said: "To hear that Elland Brewery is facing liquidation just six months after their 1872 Porter was crowned CAMRA's Champion Beer of Britain 2023 is a major cause for concern.

"This, coupled with the reports that Adnams has been working with a management consultancy to explore options to shore up its finances - including the possibility of an injection of private capital - is a one-two punch at the heart of the UK brewing industry.

"The news raises the issue of fair competition, access to market and consumer choice. CAMRA does not want any brewery or cider producer to close their doors for good, be it a contemporary small independent brewer or larger family-owned establishments with decades of history.

"The worrying news that two prestigious, award-winning breweries are both facing pressure to remain trading and survive is indicative of the wider problems the brewing and pub trade are experiencing.

"CAMRA, along with the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) and the Independent Family Brewers of Britain (IFBB), is calling on the government to increase draught relief to 20% from its current figure of 9.2% in the Chancellor's upcoming Budget.

"Cutting tax specifically on draught beer and cider in pubs would encourage people to support their community local, and help secure jobs and businesses in the pub and beer sector - particularly small and independent breweries that sell more of their products into pubs and taprooms.

"CAMRA is encouraging everyone to email their MPs, asking them to support the 'Make it 20%' campaign and call on the government to show their support for pubs, social clubs, breweries and cider producers."

Greg Pilley, managing director of Stroud Brewery, has called for an increase in the tax differential between small, packaged beer and bulk draught.

"As a business selling to pubs, we see it's a very difficult time," he said. "Pubs sales are down and for big breweries like Admans we can see that's a problem.

"I suggest we bring down the duty on bulk beer that's drunk in draught in pubs and hospitality and increase it in packaged products. What it means is it reduces the cost of a pint in a pub, it encourages people to go out because we are all struggling because of the cost of living crisis and the benefit of that is that you are supporting hospitality and pubs which are part of our identity as a country, providing a community resource where people get together.

"It also penalises packaged products and that reduces home drinking and home consumption. A lot of problem drinking tends to happen in the home and tends to happen in higher strength products.

"A differential in the duty would be an environmental, social and health benefit but in order to have a significant effect it would need to be quite a differential."