LABOUR have been left red-faced after making a glaring error in their announcement hailing the new UK-US trade deal.
Not only did they describe the deal as good – despite the US continuing to impose hefty tariffs on swathes of the UK economy – but they also left brewers baffled by claiming it would be a boon for pubs.
The UK Government press release heralding news of the deal claimed: “We will also remove the tariff on ethanol – which is used to produce beer – coming into the UK from the US, down to zero.”
There’s just one problem there. Ethanol isn’t used to produce beer.
A spokesperson for the British Beer and Pub Association said: “We are urgently seeking clarity about the details of the deal as, given ethanol is not used to make beer, we cannot see how this is a win for brewers or pubs.
“We continue to urge Government to focus on securing a trade deal that boosts the sector and doesn’t penalise British beer, which brings so much to our economy and job market.”
The boffins among you will know that ethanol is what makes alcoholic beverages alcoholic and is produced by the brewing process.
The Government has since updated its statement to say: “We will also remove the tariff on ethanol – which is widely used in our manufacturing sector – coming into the UK from the US, down to zero.”
Instead of importing it from America, they could have just brewed more beer …
