Duty frozen on wine in Budget

Alcohol duty on wines, spirits and beer was frozen by UK Chancellor Philip Hammond in his Budget this week.

Spreadsheet Phil (as he is known) has finally brought some festive cheer to wine lovers UK wide, with a freeze in the rise of duty. Only the second time its been frozen in 15 years. The duty is £2.16 for still wine and £2.77 for sparkling wines.

There was an exception to the freeze. The government is proposing a new duty band on still ciders and perries with an alcohol content of between 6.9% and 7.5%. These stronger, super-strength 'white ciders' are associated with problem drinking the Treasury has targeted them specifically in this Budget to address alcohol abuse issues.