Jeremy Hunt confirms beer, cider, wine and spirit tax plan for 2024

Jeremy Hunt has announced an alcohol duty freeze until August 1 next year in a boost to British pubs.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer revealed the Government would continue to help the UK alcohol industry and pub trade by holding the levy for another eight months.

Hunt also confirmed the duty on a pint at the pub remains lower than on beverages sold at shops due to the Brexit Pubs Guarantee.

Addressing the House of Commons, the Chancellor told MPs: “As well as confirming our Brexit Pubs Guarantee, which means duty on a pint is always lower than in the shops, I have decided to freeze all alcohol duty until August 1 next year.

“That means no increase in duty on beer, cider, wine or spirits.”

Alcohol duty is paid by manufacturers when making products.

The rate varies dependent on the alcohol content of the drinks.

Spirits and wines are taxed much heavier than ciders and beer as they have stronger alcohol contents.

The duty is often passed onto consumers by manufacturers.

However, the product price rises are at their discretion.

The Chancellor could have opted to increase the duty by Britain’s 8.9 per cent RPI rate.

Such a move would have resulted in a price rise of 68p per bottle of wine on average, and £1.50 on spirits.

The Treasury added: “This takes 3p off the duty cost of an average pint of beer – saving pubs and our alcohol sector thousands in funds that they’ll be able to reinvest into their businesses.”

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