(TheDrinksBusiness) - The future of the beer tax escalator was debated in the House of Commons on Thursday and although the tax will remain MPs have voted for a review. MPs have voted for a review of the beer tax escalatorThe beer tax escalator was introduced by in 2008 by then-chancellor Alastair Darling and increases the price of a pint by 2% above inflation. It is due to stay in place until 2014/15. Following an online petition to ditch the escalator MPs debated the measure in parliament today, with many throwing their support behind its removal. Conservative MP Andrew Griffiths, who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on beer, said: “Scrapping the beer duty escalator would save thousands of jobs in the first year alone and stop the closure of hundreds of pubs in all of our communities.