I know the wine, spirits, beer and cider industries; ranging from producers and suppliers to pubs, hotels and restaurants; play an important role in providing employment, including here in our constituency. I am therefore pleased the Chancellor, George Osborne, has listened to the concerns of many individuals and reduced the level of alcohol duty on beer, cider and spirits, while freezing it for wine.
For the third year in a row, the tax on a typical pint of beer has been cut by 1p. This means that an average pint of beer is 9p cheaper than it would have been under Labour’s plans when they were in power. The duty on spirits and on cider has also been cut by 2 per cent as I know many had campaigned for, while the duty on wine will be frozen. This will keep the duties on beer and wine broadly similar.
The Budget will be delivered in March and I am unable to comment on any policy announcements prior to this. I know the Government is committed to supporting pubs, alongside helping those who work in the beer, spirits, wine and cider industries right across the UK.
The action already taken by the Government is great news for the retail and hospitality sectors, including pubs here in the constituency, as well as people who work in them. Pubs are an important part of local communities and I welcome this support for them, which protects jobs, and helps hardworking people keep more of the money they earn.
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