In the Autumn Budget 2021, the UK Government published a consultation which ran from 27 October 2021 to 30 January 2022, inviting stakeholders to submit their views on the proposed reforms to the alcohol duty system.

The Alcohol Duty Review aims to improve the current system by making it simpler, more economically rational and less administratively burdensome on businesses and HMRC.

The document in the link below summarises the responses to the consultation and provides the government’s response.

The government carefully considered the issues raised by respondents and stated that they were grateful for all of the input received. The response document sets out the government’s designs for the new alcohol duty system and changes made to the Autumn Budget proposals as a result of the consultation. Policies contained within the response document include:

  • Amendments to draught relief.
  • More detail on Small Producer Relief.
  • Detail of a transitional easement for the wine industry.

There are also specific points of policy where the government would appreciate further input.

The government will be taking responses until Friday 18 November 2022.

See: The new alcohol duty system: consultation – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)