A TREASURY minister was under fire last after insisting big tax hikes on beer must continue despite a warning that 99 pubs in the region have shut in just six months.

MPs accused the government of turning a deaf ear to the pleas of brewers, pub owners and more than 100,000 people who signed an 'e-petition' demanding action.

In a special Commons debate, Iain Wright (Lab; Hartlepool) and Grahame Morris (Lab; Easington) were among MPs, of all parties, who urged ministers to axe the so-called beer tax "escalator" - to avoid further pub closures.

They pointed to evidence that the escalator - which hikes duty by two per cent above inflation, every year through to 2015 - was failing to raise extra revenue, because of falling sales.

Meanwhile, new research was released by CAMRA, the real ale campaigners, revealing that 455 pubs disappeared across Britain in just six months, this year - including 99 across the North.

But, in reply, Sajid Javed, a treasury minister, warned that any U-turn would cost the government £35m next year and £70m the year after that.

And he rejected the claim that hikes on beer tax were killing pubs, pointing to the large number of closures in the early 2000s - before the "escalator" was introduced.

Mr Javed said: "If those taxes were cancelled, it would mean that revenue would have to be recouped one way or another - either from further public spending cuts, or increases in other taxes or duties."

Pointing also to "lifestyle changes" and people switching to other drinks, the minister told MPs: "It's those factors that are determining the size of the pub sector - not just duties."

Speaking after the debate, Mr Wright said: "The Commons was unanimous today in its wish to see the beer duty escalator reviewed, if not scrapped.

"I'm disappointed that, despite the feelings of MPs, the minister said nothing which will actually help pubs and brewers across the country."

CAMRA vowed not to give up, announcing a lobby of parliament on December 12 and saying: "Over 1,000 beer drinkers and pub goers will be descending upon Westminster to ensure MPs keep the pressure on."

The debate heard evidence that beer duty has soared by 42 per cent since March 2008 - when the escalator began - while the number of pints sold has plunged by 15 per cent.

Mr Wright said: "Only this month, the Pink Domino was earmarked for demolition and is going through the planning process, with a supermarket to be built in its place - and a loss to the community there."

The MP acknowledged that beer price hikes were not the only factor, but added: "There are 1,000 people employed in the pub trade in Hartlepool - this is of huge importance socially and economically."

And Mr Morris said: "The minister must be aware of the impact of the beer duty escalator unless - like the Olympic flame - he doesn't go out."