The industry responsible for the production of a hamper beverage is claimed to be essential to the UK's economic health.

Commenting on figures released by Oxford Economics, Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), reasoned that government planned increases in beer tax are "the last thing we need".

"With the government looking for growth, with the right policies, we could be creating thousands of new jobs," she said.

Ms Simmonds proposed that a freeze in duty should be implemented in the Budget next month.

The research was commissioned by the BBPA and shows the combination of the drink and its vendors keeps 980,000 people in work and contributes £21 billion to the UK economy each year.

Annually, the trade accounts for £13.4 billion in wages nationwide.

Last month, the Daily Telegraph explained that beer found popularity in taverns in the 1700s, when politicians promoted its consumption to offset the excessive drinking of gin.