Burton MP Andrew Griffiths is stepping down as chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group following his appointment as a member of the Government Whips’ Office.  Parliamentary rules mean members of the Government are not allowed to chair All-Party Groups.  Griffiths, who has been chairman of the Beer Group for five years, said: “It has been a huge honour and a privilege to represent one…

A “yes” vote for Scottish independence could leave the drinks industry out of pocket either side of the border, an excise specialist has warned. Alan Powell, consultant to the UK Warehousing Association, said goods could be taxed in both Scotland and Britain if they were counted as separate EU member states. He added that, to prevent this double taxation, “onerous” costs would be necessary to…