UK Reverses Planned Freeze on Alcohol Tax
The UK government has cancelled a plan to freeze the duty tax on alcohol, less than a month after announcing the policy. Just last month the UK government said it would abolish a proposed increase in duty rates for beer, cider, spirits and wine and instead proposed a temporary measure to reduce the duty on some types of alcoholic beverages. The freeze had been due to take place in February 2023.
UK’s newly appointed chancellor Jeremy Hunt stated yesterday that the freeze would no longer take place, saving the government (US)$671 million a year. The tax on alcohol duty will now rise in line with inflation, as measured by the retail price index (RPI), currently at 12.3%.
The announcement was met with anger by UK alcohol industry bodies. According to an article in Just Drinks, British Beer & Pub Association CEO Emma McClarkin called the move “a huge blow to brewers and pubs”, adding the relief would have helped “keep a lid on spiraling costs and keep the price of pint affordable for pub goers this winter.”
More details from Just Drinks here.
