Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the proposed new alcohol duty system, which is currently under consultation, on the diversity, choice and quality of wines available to consumers.

As part of the alcohol duty review, the Government has announced several reforms which aim to modernise the taxation system for wine.

By moving to a duty system where all wines are taxed in reference to their alcohol content, the Government intends to incentivise innovation of lower strength wines, providing greater choice to wine consumers. In addition, the Government has announced it will equalise still and sparkling wine rates, helping to spur innovation among British sparkling wine producers.

The Government is continuing to engage with interested stakeholders on these reforms. A consultation ran from 27 October 2021 to 30 January 2022, and the Government is now in the process of analysing responses. A tax information and impact note will be published following the consultation when the policy is final, or near final, in the usual way.