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Written question asked by Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 9 September 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 September 2025. It was answered by Dan Tomlinson (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 September 2025 on behalf of the Treasury.

Alcoholic Drinks: Excise Duties

Question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of allowing incidental off-sales of beer and cider from draught duty paid containers on pubs in rural communities.

Answer

Draught beer and cider now pay 13.9% less in duty than their packaged equivalents – an increase of over 50% on the previous draught discount of 9.2%. This took a penny of duty off a typical strength pint.

The core objective of this relief is to recognise the cultural importance of pubs and other on-trade venues as community hubs and to encourage responsible drinking in supervised settings.

To ensure this relief is targeted at the on-trade, it is prohibited to repackage products that have received Draught Relief for off-site consumption. It is the intention that beverages that are sold to be consumed off site should pay the full rate of duty like their equivalents sold in off-trade venues.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
76210
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Beer Cider Excise duties Public houses Rural areas Beverage containers
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk