Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of HMRC spirits excise duty receipts for 2021-22; and how the amount of revenue received by HM Treasury compares with projections for receipts for 2023-24.

On 17 October, the Chancellor announced a reversal of almost all of the tax measures set out in the Growth Plan that have not been legislated for in parliament. This includes the freeze of alcohol duty rates from 1 February 2023. The purpose is to ensure the UK’s economic stability and to provide confidence in the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline. The Chancellor made clear in his statement that the UK’s public finances must be on a sustainable path into the medium term.

The alcohol duty uprating decision and interactions with the wider Alcohol Duty Review, which continues as planned, will be considered in due course.

The government will continue to assess the impact of its decisions on alcohol duties, including through ongoing engagement with stakeholders.