Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing measures to assist (a) producers and (b) importers supplying the off trade in alcoholic drinks following the increases in alcohol duty announced in the Spring Budget 2023.

The new alcohol duty system will provide a simpler and more consistent duty regime for producers and importers supplying the off trade and on trade.

The Government is also introducing specific measures that will benefit produces and importers. The approval, return and payment processes for domestic producers of alcoholic products are being harmonised. Small Producer Relief reforms and extends the relief currently enjoyed by small breweries to all producers of other alcoholic products under 8.5% abv. Temporary arrangements for producers and importers of wine in place until 1 February 2025 will help them manage the transition to the new method of calculating the duty on their products.

The Government has also committed to evaluating the policy and its impacts after implementation.