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The Government Hospitality Wine Cellar Annual Report 2017-18

My Right Honourable Friend, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Sir Alan Duncan), has made the following written Ministerial statement:

I have today placed a copy of the Government Hospitality Wine Cellar Annual Report for the Financial Year 2017-18 in the Libraries of both Houses.

Following the outcome of the review of the Government Hospitality Wine Cellar in 2011, this seventh Annual Report continues our commitment to annual reporting to Parliament on the use of the Wine Cellar, covering consumption, stock purchases, costs, and value for money. The wine cellar has been self-funding since 2011/12, through the sale of some high-value stock and payments made by other Government departments for events organised by Government Hospitality.

The report notes that:

• The highest consumption level by volume was again of English and Welsh wine, at 57% of the total (cf. 52% in 16/17);
• The highest volume of purchases was of English and Welsh wines at 64% of the total;
• Consumption by volume increased by some 20% in FY 2017/18 due to an increased number of larger events;
• Sales of stock amounted to £50,600 (cf. £40,800 in FY 16/17);
• Further funds from other government departments added £26,494 to the overall receipts (cf. £16,234 in 16/17);
• Purchases amounted to £56,976 (ex-VAT), an increase of 26% by value cf. £45,042 in 16/17.

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