Rishi Sunak urged to re-think 'unfair' booze tax as spirit lovers will pay £150 more than beer drinkers

RISHI Sunak has been urged to think again over booze duty reforms which will leave lovers of a G&T or whisky paying £150 a year more than beer drinkers.

People who follow to healthy guidance on alcohol would pay £209 in tax over a year under the Chancellor’s “fairer” system.


This compares with £64 for those who prefer a pint of beer or cider.

That’s despite the pint having 2.3 units of alcohol compared to a drink like a Scotch highball having just two units.

Graeme Littlejohn, of the Scotch Whisky Association, said: “How we tax alcohol in the UK is outdated and is desperate need of reform.

“But the changes set out by the Chancellor in the Budget don’t deliver the common sense approach he promised. Nor do they meet the government’s commitment of backing a vital industry in Scotch Whisky and the jobs it supports.”

“The Chancellor should look again at these reforms which do not deliver fairness for the Scotch Whisky industry.”

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The Chief Medical Officer’s guidance states that drinkers should consume no more than 14 units of alcohol a week.

While the guidelines do not single out different alcohol products, the proposed tax system will.

A government consultation on reforming alcohol taxation closes today (Sunday) – with the Tories committing to reform in the 2019 Queen’s Speech “to ensure our tax system is supporting Scotch Whisky and gin producers and protecting 42,000 jobs supported by Scotch across the UK.”

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