Make it a triple! Drinkers toast freeze on beer, wine and cider
DUTY on beer, wine and cider has been frozen for only the second time in almost 20 years – while duty on petrol is also a non- mover.
Tobacco taxes will continue to rise by two per cent above the rate of retail price inflation, adding 27p to a pack of 20 cigarettes
The glad tidings for pub- goers means they will save around £ 80million on beer alone in the next 12 months.
Drivers will be £ 1,200 a year richer than in 2010 – the last year fuel duty went up – according to Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
He has also given pub owners a £ 5,000 discount on their business rates – up from £ 1,000. Those with a rateable value of £ 51,000 or less will not have to pay anything at all.
Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, said: “It is reassuring to see the Chancellor has taken steps to address the UK’s excessively high duty rates. He has shown he is in touch with British consumers who want to enjoy a drink without getting stung.”
Emma McClarkin, of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “Pub- goers across the UK will be toasting the Chancellor.
“Freezing beer duty alone will save them £ 80million and secure 2,000 jobs across the country.”
Motorists were also celebrating after Mr Sunak revealed fuel duty will remain at 58p per litre for petrol and diesel. He said: “I’ve heard representations that after nine years of being frozen, at a cost of £ 110billion to the taxpayer, we can no longer afford to freeze fuel duty.
“I’m certainly mindful of the fiscal cost and environmental impacts.
“But I’m taking considerable steps in this Budget to incentivise cleaner forms of transportation, and many people still rely on their cars. So I’m pleased to announce that for another year fuel duty will remain frozen. Compared to 2010 plans, that’s a saving of £ 1,200.”
It is a victory for campaigners like Fair Fuel UK and the AA, which said: “An increase would have had a negative impact on households and business at a time when the economy is fragile.”