Maria Caulfield, Member of Parliament for Lewes, pleased the Conservative Government have frozen UK alcohol duty rates for a further 6 months, to 1st August, 2023.
New alcohol duty rates typically come in each year on 1st February. However, this year the duty rates decision will be held until the Chancellor sets out his Spring Budget on 15 March 2023.
If any changes to duty are announced then, they will not take effect until 1 August 2023. This is to align with the implementation date for our historic alcohol duty reforms, and amounts to an effective six month extension to the current duty freeze.
Last year, at Autumn Budget 2021, the Government announced the biggest reforms to alcohol duty in 140 years. Following our country’s departure from the EU, our changes will overhaul the UK’s obsolete rules, which our membership of the union precluded us from doing.
With these new freedoms, we will embark on radically simplifying the entire system and slashing red-tape. In doing so, we have made a system that is a better fit with our national priorities, encourages growth and innovation, aligns with public health goals and is fairer for hard-working producers.
Maria Caulfield MP said:
“I am very pleased to see the UK alcohol duty freeze for a further 6 months which will benefit many local brewers including Harvey’s and Longmans.
The Conservative Government recognises the importance of the alcohol industry to the UK and in the last few weeks the Minister has spoken to stakeholders from across the alcohol sector. We understand that businesses are facing an uncertain period ahead in the face of rising energy bills and inflation and that they want certainty and reassurance in these challenging times.
As part of the Government’s commitment to responsible management of the UK economy, the added certainty given by this announcement will help breweries, cidermakers, winemakers, distilleries, pubs and other alcohol related businesses to plan and make investment decisions more effectively.”