Alcohol - Excise duty increases
Excise duty on alcohol will increase by 8% as of 1 December 2008. This change
follows the 6% increase which took effect from 17 March 2008. The impact of
the latest changes on retail prices is equivalent to:
- 52 pence on a 70cl bottle of spirits (37.5% abv);
- 3 pence on a pint of beer;
- 13 pence on a bottle of wine
- 2 pence on a litre of cider.
The smallest brewers will continue to receive 50% duty relief from the Small
Brewers Relief Scheme.
Our view
These changes are intended to negate the 2.5% reduction in VAT from
17.5% to 15% on these products.