Alcohol duty increase welcomed by IAS

“Cuts and freezes to alcohol duty have cost the public purse more than £8 billion over the past 10 years. Today’s announcement by the Chancellor that most alcohol duties will rise by inflation will raise revenue for vital public services. We welcome this decision.

“With alcohol deaths at their highest level on record, now is more important than ever to focus on improving health by tackling cheap alcohol. It’s high time the alcohol industry started paying its way towards the cost of alcohol harm.

“We urge the Government to continue to prioritise public health by keeping alcohol duty in line with inflation going forward.” 

– Dr Katherine Severi, chief executive, Institute of Alcohol Studies.