Alcohol Duty set to be frozen for an additional six months

In a boost for the hospitality sector, it has been reported that the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, will delay increases to alcohol duty, which were to take effect on 1 February 2023, for a further six months to 1 August 2023. 

Alcohol Duty was due to rise in line with Retail Price Index inflation which would have led to price increases including:

• 7p on a pint of beer;
• 38p on a bottle of wine; and
• £1.30 on a bottle of spirits. 

Confirmation of a freeze to Alcohol Duty will be welcome as the issue has seen changes in policy over the various changes in central government - Kwasi Kwarteng halted alcohol duty in September’s mini-budget only for Jeremy Hunt to reverse that in October.