IT was with surprise that I read a letter in last week’s paper, Voting Record, criticising Sajid Javid’s voting record on alcohol taxation.

As the owner of Bird’s Brewery I have had the privilege of working closely with Sajid on this matter.

While Sajid was a Treasury Minister he not only abolished Labour’s unpopular beer duty escalator but also cut beer duty for the first time in over half-a-century in the 2013 budget.

Beer duty has now been cut again, further, in both budgets since.

I know the whole brewery industry has been delighted by this.

To show our appreciation we named one of the beers Sajid’s Choice, which was served in the House of Commons bar.

I delivered the beer to Parliament and was able to meet both Sajid and the Chancellor George Osborne.

Pubs are a significant part of the cultural, social and economic life in many communities like Bromsgrove across the country.

Sajid has been a champion of our industry and has made a real difference to the pubs and breweries across the country.

C H Bird Ladybird Inns Ltd Ladybird Barn Old Burcot Lane Bromsgrove