As Cowes Week concluded with fireworks, the local MP has called on the Treasury to reduce the tax on gin, which is twice the rate in France. Joe Robertson highlighted the absurdity of British drinkers paying more for a G&T at home than abroad.
Tax burden on spirits
An analysis by the UK Spirits Alliance shows UK drinkers pay around 66p on a standard double measure (50ml) of gin, whisky, vodka, or rum – double the 33p in France and four times the 16p in Spain. Mr Robertson noted that successive duty hikes have hit consumers and distillers, with Treasury receipts down nearly £100 million year-on-year.
“It can’t be right that British spirits are more expensive in Britain than elsewhere,” he said. “It’s time to back British distillers, and the hospitality and tourism sectors that they underpin.”
Industry and pub concerns
Landlords and distillers are also calling for change, as the trade body reports fears that three in ten pubs may not survive another year, putting 11,000 venues at risk. Carolyn Harris, chair of the all-party parliamentary group for UK spirits, said the current excise regime is “devastating pubs and the wider hospitality sector.”
Braden Saunders, owner of London’s Doghouse Distillery, added: “You can’t say you’re proud of the local pub and then tax the drink on the bar. We need urgent support now before it’s too late.”
Government response
A Government spokesperson said the Chancellor has prioritised hospitality support, cutting business rates by 20% for pubs and social clubs, saving thousands of locals over £1,000 a year, alongside a tax break on poured pints and a cap on corporation tax.
