Sarah Champion MP awarded ‘Pub Parliamentarian of the Year’

Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham, was awarded the title ‘Pub Parliamentarian of the Year’ at the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group’s Annual Beer Awards.

The Beer Group seeks to promote an understanding of the significant contribution of brewing and pubs to the UK economy and wider society. The awards event, chaired by Tonia Antoniazzi MP, celebrated the outstanding contributions to the UK’s pub and brewing industry.

Champion was given this recognition in light of her campaigning work to limit the impact of Extended Producer Responsibility for glass producers in Rotherham and further afield. For months Champion has been highlighting the injustice of the legislation, which will mean glass bottles face a tax while plastic and aluminium do not – adding an estimated 10p to a bottle of beer. In addition, pubs and breweries would effectively have to pay twice for their waste collection, creating added costs to small business who are already struggling under inflationary and other cost pressures.

Commenting, a representative of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group said:

“Sarah was nominated for and received her Pub Parliamentarian of the Year Award because her work on Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging in particular, has been critical for beer and pubs and shone a light on the inherent unfairness in the legislation which would have meant pubs paying twice for their waste collection, to their private waste contractors and local authorities.

This issue is now being addressed, and Sarah's interventions have played a huge part. She is a very worthy winner.”

Commentating, Champion said:

“I’m honoured to have been awarded ‘Pub Parliamentarian of the Year 2025.’ Pubs and breweries represent the best of British and are so deserving of our support.

EPR, as it stands, will add an unfair cost burden these cherished businesses, at no particular gain to anyone else. I want to see Beatson Clark’s specialty amber glass in our pubs for years to come. That means continuing to apply pressure on the Government to protect our glass producers, and all those who use their products.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Sarah Champion’s Westminster Hall Debate on Extended Producer Responsibility, 14 May 2025  https://youtu.be/y7nOcQNEQ3o