Keir Starmer launches 'beer taskforce' to ensure enough pints for World Cup

Dan McDonald
Fri, 24 Apr 2026 23:22:22 +0000

Sir Keir Starmer has set up a covert ministerial group amid fears the Iran conflict could threaten Britain’s supply of pints ahead of the World Cup.

The secret taskforce - dubbed the “beer committee” by insiders - is focused on securing carbon dioxide supplies, a key ingredient used to carbonate beer and keep it fresh from brewery to pub.

A Whitehall source told The Sun: “The war in the Middle East is clearly impacting Britain's supply chains.

“But there's nothing like a cold beer in the sun after a hard day's work.”

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Officials are racing to safeguard CO2 stocks as demand is expected to surge over the next few months.

“So we're pulling out the stops to secure our supplies of products like CO2, especially with the summer and the World Cup coming up,” the source added.

The group was formally established by Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones, who told MPs he was leading a “Contingency Planning Small Ministerial Group” in response to the Middle East crisis.

Ministers are now meeting twice a week to monitor risks to supply chains, the economy and national security.

Brewers have warned shortages could quickly hit pubs if disruption worsens.

Richard Bradbury, managing director of Theakston brewery, said: “CO2 shortages are always of concern, both for brewers and pubs.

“So far, we have not experienced shortages nor are any expected in the short term, but we are concerned about implications for supply if the current Middle East situation continues.”

Heineken said there are currently no major concerns, but confirmed steps are being taken to ensure pubs are stocked for a busy summer.

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Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “With another fantastic World Cup season on the way, and the Government extending licensing hours, fans get more time to cheer on our team while pubs get a much-needed cash boost.”

Ministers have already moved to boost domestic supply, reactivating the Ensus bioethanol plant in Teesside last month to increase CO2 production.

A Government spokesman said: “We're moving fast to minimise the impact here at home of the crisis in the Middle East.

“For example, last month we took decisive action to shore up CO2 supplies by restarting the Ensus bioethanol plant in Teesside, helping to secure production lines in the UK.

“The Prime Minister and his Chief Secretary are working hand-in-hand with ministers to drive contingency planning, ensuring we're doing all we can to support people with the cost of living and minimise impacts at home.”

During Euro 2024, Britons drank an estimated 604.5 million pints over the course of the tournament - roughly 10 per person across the UK.

That equated to around £2.4billion spent on beer in just one month.

Analysis by Split Second Research also found England fans spilt nearly five million pints every time Gareth Southgate’s side scored in Germany.