A freeze on beer tax duty could save 7,500 jobs in Britain’s pubs over the next year, according to the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

The BBPA says such a move would help support British pubs and brewing, with 400,000 UK jobs depending directly on the production and sale of beer.

The proposal forms part of BBPA’s submission to the Treasury in advance of the March Budget.

Beer duty rates have risen by 20% since March 2008, while the government has indicated that it plans a further increase in March of 2% above inflation.

The association adds that the submission is also being sent to the government’s new working party on pubs led by John Healey MP.