Beer under threat from London's housing crisis as Fuller's brewery 'struggling to recruit staff'

London's last remaining family brewer is struggling to recruit and retain staff due to the "housing crisis", a Hounslow MP has claimed.

Ruth Cadbury said soaring house prices and rents were making it harder for Fuller's brewery in Chiswick to attract and keep the best employees.

"In my constituency, Fuller's brewery is a thriving business with an international reputation, but speaking to the directors there it's evident that the housing crisis is affecting their business and their ability to recruit and retain staff," the Brentford and Isleworth MP told fellow MPs.

Her comments aptly came on the eve of National Beer Day, as she led a debate in Westminster Hall on Tuesday (June 14) about affordable housing in the capital.

She called on the government to work with new London mayor Sadiq Khan and with local councils to deliver truly affordable homes for Londoners.

'Living in London should not be seen as a privilege'

"Living in London should not be seen as a privilege. Not only should our constituents have the right to live in London, but London needs people to keep our great city's economy and public services going," she told fellow MPs.

"The lack of affordable housing in London has a knock-on effect in both the public and private sector, with employers telling me that they are facing a recruitment and retention crisis."

Her comments came as a report for the House of Commons Library showed the average London home now costs £526,000 - 16 times the average Londoner's salary of £33,000 a year.

Despite the need for cheaper housing, the report stated that just 53,000 "affordable homes" had been built across the capital in the last four years.

Fuller's plays down impact

A spokesperson for Fuller, Smith & Turner played down the impact of house prices on its business operations.

"While we agree that there is a general shortage of affordable housing across London, the direct impact of this on our brewery is relatively limited," the company said.

"We are helped by ever improving transport links and a genuine focus on recruiting, developing and retaining the best people, hence building our reputation as the employer of choice in the area."