New research published by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has reported a 5.1 per cent drop in total beer sales for the first quarter of 2010.

Compared with the same period in 2009, pub beer sales declined by 8.8 per cent as severe weather conditions earlier this year had an impact on the number of people going to the pub. The BBPA's Quarterly Beer Barometer revealed that the year-on-year change in beer sales has showed signs of improvement, with the rate of decline down 0.7 per cent for the year to March 2010.

Meanwhile, the organisation has called on the new government to help the UK pub sector by resisting an increase in beer taxes in the forthcoming Budget on 22 June. BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: "These new figures show the economic environment remains tough and precarious for Britain's pubs. The exceptional impact of winter's icy blast has taken its toll, but this does not fully explain the extent of the current difficulties facing the industry.

"Both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have stated that beer taxation needs reform and pubs need support because of their value to communities. It's time to deliver on those promises."