Gov confirms alcohol duty freeze extension
The current alcohol duty freeze was announced in the Autumn Budget 2021 and was expected to end 1 February 2023
The government has announced that the freeze on alcohol duty has been extended for a further six months to 1 August 2023.
In a statement to the House of Commons, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Cartlidge laid out a plan aiming to give certainty to people in the catering sector.
New duty rates usually come in on the 1 February each year, but this year the duty rates decision will be held until the chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivers his Spring Budget on the 15 March 2023.
If any duty changes are announced they will not come into effect until after 1 August 2023.
Cartlidge said: “Today’s announcement reflects this government’s commitment to responsible management of the UK economy and supporting hospitality through a challenging winter.
“The alcohol sector is vital to our country’s social fabric and supports thousands of jobs – we have listened to pubs, breweries and industry reps concerned about their future as they get ready for the new, simpler, alcohol tax system taking effect from August.”
The current alcohol duty freeze was announced in the Autumn Budget 2021 and was expected to end 1 February 2023.
