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Budget
CE4
09 March 1999
The duties on most alcoholic drinks have been frozen this year. The
timing of any future changes will be aligned with the Spring Budget
cycle.
To avoid unfair competition, the separate duty rates for sparkling
cider and low strength sparkling wine are to be brought into line,
completing a four year period of adjustment for producers.
Cider & Sparkling wine
The new rate will take effect from 6 pm on 9 March 1999 and will have
a negligible effect on revenue receipts.
The changes will have the following effect on the tax (duty plus VAT)
paid on an average bottle :
Product Effect
75 cl bottle of sparkling cider +#1.02
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Main Alcohol Rates
1. The duties on most alcoholic drinks were increased in line with
inflation from 1 January 1999 (spirits duty was frozen). There will
be no changes on 1 January 2000, the Chancellor has decided. The
timing of any future changes will be aligned with the Spring Budget
cycle.
2.The estimated cost of this alcohol package is #-10 million against
an indexed base in 2000/2001. The RPI impact will be negligible
Cider & Sparkling wine
3. Rates are being aligned to eliminate unfair competition. This
alignment has been undertaken in gradual steps over several years to
enable producers to adapt to the change.
4. Full details for traders are published in Budget Notice 29/99,
which is available from Customs and Excise Business Advice Centres
and from the Customs and Excise Internet site.
Press enquiries only to HM Customs and Excise, Public Relations
Office, New King's Beam House, 22 Upper Ground, London, SE1 9PJ.
Telephone: 0171 865 5471/5472
Others should contact their local Excise and Inland Customs Business
Advice Centre, listed under Customs and Excise in the telephone book.
Customs and Excise Internet address:
http://www.hmce.gov.uk/
This news release can also be found at :
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/
Other Treasury material can also be found at this address.
# = pounds sterling
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