Wines made from Chancellor grapes

UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt used his Autumn Statement to outline a number of economic measures, but wine trade leaders were still seeking clarity on the government’s position on alcohol duty immediately following the speech. The government’s Autumn Statement document only appeared to refer to projected benefits of last month’s decision to reverse a planned freeze on alcohol duty, as well as benefits of duty reform plans. ‘There is nothing to welcome or comment on following ...

Ministers have said plans to link duty tax more closely to alcohol levels (abv) from February 2023 will create a simpler and fairer system, but UK wine trade leaders have called for a government rethink. The issue is coming to a head as a government-led consultation period nears its 30 January deadline. While plans to abolish the premium tax rate on sparkling wine have been widely welcomed, the new system would see duty increase on some still and fortified wines. This could lead to price rises, ...

An alcohol duty freeze due to end on 1 February has been extended for six months, until 1 August, the UK government announced this week. There has been uncertainty about the policy in recent weeks, but trade members had warned that going ahead with plans to allow alcohol duty to rise with inflation in February could have dire consequences for businesses already dealing with multiple cost pressures. ‘If duty rates went up by RPI [retail price index] on 1 February, this would have been a crippling ...