Britain’s oldest brewer hikes price of a pint blaming ‘incoherent’ government policy and rising costs

The boss of Britain’s oldest brewer has blasted ‘incoherent’ government policy as rising costs force it to put up the price of a pint.

Jonathan Neame, head of Shepherd Neame, said ‘nothing is easy’ as British businesses are ‘overtaxed and overregulated’.

The Kent-based firm, established in 1698, has 286 pubs and brews beers including Spitfire, Bishops Finger and Whitstable Bay. 

But it said ‘the relentless upward pressure on labour costs’ from the National Insurance tax raid and increase in the minimum wage had led to higher bar prices, even if the consumer ‘only has so much disposable income’.

It said profits fell 7.9 per cent to £6.3million in the year to June 28, while sales dipped by 2.7 per cent to £164.3million.

Challenges: Shepherd Neame chief exec Jonathan Neame (pictured) said ‘nothing is easy for business’ as Britain is ‘overtaxed’ and ‘overregulated’