News: March 2011

UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has signalled that the proposed 2% above inflation increase for beer duty will go ahead, despite industry and consumer calls for it to be cancelled.

The duty rise is likely to see the average price of a pint of beer in pubs increase by 10p, which will dismay those who claim that high beer tax is contributing to the widespread closure of British pubs.

The Chancellor also announced that plans for a lower rate of duty for beers below 2.8% ABV will be implemented, but beers of 7.5% ABV or stronger will be subject to a higher duty rate.