Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of a reduction of VAT on all sales of alcohol and food to protect pubs during the cost of living crisis.

The VAT reduced rate for the hospitality sector was a temporary measure designed to support the cash flow and viability of sectors that have been severely affected by COVID-19. It was appropriate that as restrictions were lifted and demand for goods and services in these sectors increased, the temporary tax reliefs were first reduced and then removed.

There are no current plans to reduce the rate of VAT on food or alcohol. VAT is the UK’s third largest tax, and is forecast to raise £154 billion in 2022/23, helping to fund key spending priorities. In addition, this request should be viewed in the context of over £50 billion of requests for relief from VAT received since the EU referendum. Nevertheless, the Government keeps all taxes under review.

The Government understands that many businesses, including pubs, are suffering as a result of the energy crisis. Through the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, the Government will provide a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices for all non-domestic consumers until 31 March 2023. The Government intends to provide targeted support to the most vulnerable businesses after this winter.

The Government has also introduced a new draught relief from 1 August 2022 as part of its reform of alcohol duties. This provides a lower duty rate for alcohol that is sold in pubs, provided it fulfils the eligibility criteria of being below 8.5% ABV and sold in containers of 20 litres or more. It will mean, for example, that the duty rate for eligible beer and cider will be approximately 5% lower than the standard rate and will therefore provide long-term support for pubs.