From Hope for Somerset cider makers with new parliamentary group - BBC News
Cider makers say they are hopeful a new parliamentary group will help their industry thrive and survive.
Sarah Dyke, MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, has been made chair of the new All Party Parliamentary Group for Cider.
Cider in the UK contributes £2.7bn to the economy, supporting more than 65,000 jobs. However, Dyke said cider makers currently face "a perfect storm" of rising energy and labour costs.
George Scott, master cider maker and grandson of Gordon Rich, the founder of Rich's Cider in Watchfield, Somerset, said: "Minimum wage is going up, it's a real hard industry at the moment. A lot of people are not as drinking as much as before."
