HL Deb 12 March 1985 vol 461 c166WA
Lord Dean of Beswick

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will specify the tax increases imposed on alcohlic drinks in successive budgets since 1979 and the increases imposed by the breweries over the same period.

The Earl of Gowrie

Duty increases for the principal types of alcoholic drinks have been as follows:—

Duty rate as at June 1979 Budget 1980 1981 1982 1983 (£) 1984
Beer at 1037 degrees original gravity (per hectolitre) 13.14 +2.96 +6.11 +2.96 +1.48 +2.96
Cider and perry (per hectolitre) 5.32 +0.73 +1.15 +0.96 +1.53 +4.59
Table wine—less than 15 per cent alcohol (per (hectolitre) 71.49 +9.93 +13.78 +11.60 +6.20 -22.50
Fortified wine—15–18 per cent alcohol (per hectoliter) 82.48 +11.45 +28.97 +15.00 +8.00 +11.60
Spirits (per litre of alcohol) 10.44 +1.43 +1.73 +0.87 +0.72 +0.29

Alcoholic drinks are also chargeable with VAT at the standard rate. This has remained unchanged at 15 per cent. since 18th June 1979. I regret that detailed information about price increases imposed by breweries is not available centrally.