Written question asked by Peter Bedford (Conservative) on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 November 2025. It was answered by Dan Tomlinson (Labour) on Monday, 24 November 2025 on behalf of the Treasury.

Beer and Cider: Excise Duties

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has considered the potential merits of cutting duty on draught beer and cider served in pubs.

Answer

At Autumn Budget 2024, the government cut alcohol duty rates on draught products by 1.7%, which applies to approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This took a penny of duty off a typical strength pint at a cost to the Exchequer of over £85m a year.  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%.

The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 92332
Session: 2024-26
Subjects: Beer Cider Excise duties Public houses
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Beer and Cider: Excise Duties

Secondary information

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