Planned increases in alcohol duty rates for beer, cider, wine and spirits have been axed, following an announcement by Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng in the Commons today, 23 September.
The move came as Kwarteng said he had “listened to industry concerns about the ongoing reforms”.
An 18-month transitional measure for wine duty and an extended draught relief to smaller kegs were also included in the measures changed in a bid to help support smaller breweries.
Kwarteng told MPs: “At this difficult time, we are not going to let alcohol duty rates rise in line with RPI. So I can announce that the planned increases in the duty rates for beer, for cider, for wine, and for spirits will all be cancelled.”
A move praised by the Scotch Whisky Association, the trade organisation‘s chief executive Mark Kent said: “The duty freeze will not only support our sector, but the hospitality industry and the wider economy.”
As a result of the duty freeze, Kent said consumers would save £1.35 on the average priced bottle of whisky.
As of 2023, all drinks are set to be taxed in proportion to their alcohol content, following the government’s announced plans to reform the alcohol taxation system.
