There is work ongoing between Defra and DHSC on reviewing the descriptor guidance for low and no alcohol products, supporting the process through regular official-level discussions.

In the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government committed to consult on raising the upper alcohol limit for drinks labelled as alcohol-free to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) from 0.05% ABV. The Government also committed to explore options to restrict access to alcohol-free and low alcohol products, so they are treated in the same ways as all alcohol products, including banning sales to children aged under 18 years old.

Engagement sessions, where these two commitments were discussed, with public health stakeholders, producers and retailers, have recently concluded.

Departmental officials are reviewing the insights and evidence gathered from these sessions, and the evidence base more generally, to inform policy development and determine next steps. We will update stakeholders in due course.

In the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government committed to consult on raising the upper alcohol limit for drinks labelled as alcohol-free to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) from 0.05% ABV. The Government also committed to explore options to restrict access to alcohol-free and low alcohol products, so they are treated in the same ways as all alcohol products, including banning sales to children aged under 18 years old.

Engagement sessions, where these two commitments were discussed, with public health stakeholders, producers and retailers, have recently concluded.

Departmental officials are reviewing the insights and evidence gathered from these sessions, and the evidence base more generally, to inform policy development and determine next steps. We will update stakeholders in due course.

In the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government committed to consult on raising the upper alcohol limit for drinks labelled as alcohol-free to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) from 0.05% ABV. The Government also committed to explore options to restrict access to alcohol-free and low alcohol products, so they are treated in the same ways as all alcohol products, including banning sales to children aged under 18 years old.

Engagement sessions, where these two commitments were discussed, with public health stakeholders, producers and retailers, have recently concluded.

Departmental officials are reviewing the insights and evidence gathered from these sessions, and the evidence base more generally, to inform policy development and determine next steps. We will update stakeholders in due course.

In the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government committed to consult on raising the upper alcohol limit for drinks labelled as alcohol-free to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) from 0.05% ABV. The Government also committed to explore options to restrict access to alcohol-free and low alcohol products, so they are treated in the same ways as all alcohol products, including banning sales to children aged under 18 years old.

Engagement sessions, where these two commitments were discussed, with public health stakeholders, producers and retailers, have recently concluded.

Departmental officials are reviewing the insights and evidence gathered from these sessions, and the evidence base more generally, to inform policy development and determine next steps. We will update stakeholders in due course.

In the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government has committed to consult on raising the upper alcohol limit for drinks labelled as alcohol-free to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) from 0.05% ABV, which would bring the labelling guidance for no and low alcohol drink alternatives for England into alignment with international standards and several EU countries.

Departmental officials are progressing work to take forward this commitment, and we will update stakeholders in due course.

Alongside the plan, a large multi-year National Institute for Health and Care Research study is underway to examine the public health impacts of NoLo products, and we look forward to the findings the study being available later this year.

The existing legal position set out in Section 150(4) of the Licensing Act 2003 seeks to achieve a balance that allows parents to introduce their children to alcohol in a controlled, measured, and responsible way, if they wish to do so, whilst upholding the licensing objective to protect children from harm. The legislation also requires licensed premises to have a robust age verification policy in place, and there are a large number of offences that the police can use to tackle under-age drinking where necessary.

Consumption of alcohol by children and young people can be harmful, with health risks including acute alcohol poisoning, an increased risk of becoming involved in violence, and damage to the developing brain and liver. Evidence shows that early age of drinking onset is associated with an increased likelihood of developing alcohol abuse or dependence in adolescence and adulthood.

The effect of the growing no and low alcohol products market on alcohol consumption and public health is still emerging. The World Health Organization’s 2023 report A Public Health Perspective on zero-and low alcohol beverages consolidated the available scientific evidence, but the evidence base continues to grow and there have been several academic studies published since. The World Health Organization’s report is available at the following link:

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240072152

There are also several academic studies underway investigating the effects of no and low alcohol beverages (NoLo), including a National Institute for Health and Care Research funded No/Lo Project, titled Evaluating and responding to the public health impact of no and low alcohol drinks: A multi-method study of a complex intervention in a complex system, which is being conducted by the University of Sheffield. The researchers will, as part of the wider research, ask different groups, including young people, about their experiences with NoLo drinks. Further information on the study is available at the following link:

https://sarg-sheffield.ac.uk/projects/no-lo-project/

The Department will continue to monitor the emerging evidence from these and other studies about the impact of NoLo products on children and young people.

The effect of the growing no and low alcohol products market on alcohol consumption and public health is still emerging. The World Health Organization’s 2023 report A Public Health Perspective on zero-and low alcohol beverages consolidated the available scientific evidence, but the evidence base continues to grow and there have been several academic studies published since. The World Health Organization’s report is available at the following link:

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240072152

There are also several academic studies underway investigating the effects of no and low alcohol beverages (NoLo), including a National Institute for Health and Care Research funded No/Lo Project, titled Evaluating and responding to the public health impact of no and low alcohol drinks: A multi-method study of a complex intervention in a complex system, which is being conducted by the University of Sheffield. The researchers will, as part of the wider research, ask different groups, including young people, about their experiences with NoLo drinks. Further information on the study is available at the following link:

https://sarg-sheffield.ac.uk/projects/no-lo-project/

The Department will continue to monitor the emerging evidence from these and other studies about the impact of NoLo products on children and young people.

In Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England, the Government has committed to exploring whether to raise the upper alcohol limit for drinks labelled as alcohol-free to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) from 0.05% ABV, as set out in the current labelling guidance for no and low (NoLo) alcohol drink alternatives.

Department officials are progressing work to take forward this commitment, and we will update stakeholders in due course. The consultation referred to was undertaken by the previous administration. A decision on publishing a response will be made as part of determining the delivery timescales of the NoLo commitments in the 10-Year Health Plan.

A non-alcoholic product differs from a soft drink as it is a beverage intentionally crafted to mimic traditional alcoholic drinks like beer, wine, or spirits. This is a newly emerging area, but there is some evidence to suggest that exposure to alcohol like products, even if low or zero alcohol, can normalize drinking, and become a gateway to alcohol consumption. Earlier alcohol use initiation is linked to a higher risk of harmful drinking patterns later in life.

The Department continues to monitor the emerging evidence on the impact of no and low alcohol (NoLo) products on children and young people. A large multi-year National Institute for Health and Care Research study is underway to examine the public health impacts of NoLo products, and we look forward to the findings of that being available in the coming year.

The Government is still considering options to restrict access to NoLo products, including banning sales to under 18 year-olds. as committed to in the In Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England. We will share an update with stakeholders in due course.

A non-alcoholic product differs from a soft drink as it is a beverage intentionally crafted to mimic traditional alcoholic drinks like beer, wine, or spirits. This is a newly emerging area, but there is some evidence to suggest that exposure to alcohol like products, even if low or zero alcohol, can normalize drinking, and become a gateway to alcohol consumption. Earlier alcohol use initiation is linked to a higher risk of harmful drinking patterns later in life.

The Department continues to monitor the emerging evidence on the impact of no and low alcohol (NoLo) products on children and young people. A large multi-year National Institute for Health and Care Research study is underway to examine the public health impacts of NoLo products, and we look forward to the findings of that being available in the coming year.

The Government is still considering options to restrict access to NoLo products, including banning sales to under 18 year-olds. as committed to in the In Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England. We will share an update with stakeholders in due course.

In our 10-Year Health Plan, the Government committed to exploring whether to raise the upper alcohol limit for drinks labelled as alcohol-free to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) from 0.05% ABV, as set out in the current labelling guidance for no and low (NoLo) alcohol drink alternatives.

Our 10-Year Health Plan also included a commitment to strengthen and expand on existing voluntary guidelines for alcohol labelling by introducing a mandatory requirement for alcoholic drinks to display consistent nutritional information and health warning messages.

My officials are progressing work to take forward these commitments and we will update stakeholders in due course. The timelines for delivery are yet to be determined.

Alongside the plan, a large, multi-year National Institute for Health and Care Research study is underway to examine the public health impacts of NoLo products, and we look forward to the findings of the study being available in the coming year.

In Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, the Government has committed to tackling harmful levels of alcohol consumption by exploring options to encourage consumers to reduce their alcohol intake by substituting standard strength drinks with no- and low-alcohol (NoLo) alternatives.

One of the first steps to support further growth of the NoLo sector, and potentially increase the range of NoLo products, will be to explore raising the upper alcohol limit for drinks labelled as alcohol-free to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) from 0.05% ABV, whilst providing clarity to consumers and producers. At the same time, we will explore measures to regulate access to NoLo products in line with other alcoholic beverages, including prohibiting sales to individuals under the age of 18 years old.

Alongside the plan, a large, multi-year National Institute for Health and Care Research study is underway to examine the public health impacts of NoLo products, and we look forward to the findings of that study being available in the coming year.

Defra regularly engages with supermarkets and producers on a range of food and drink supply matters. However, it is not for HM Government to set retail food and drink prices nor to comment on day-to-day commercial decisions taken by businesses.

In the ‘Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England’, the Government has committed to tackling harmful alcohol consumption through promotion of no- and low-alcohol alternatives. This includes exploration of raising the alcohol-free descriptor to 0.5%, aligning with international standards to support growth of the sector.

Alongside the plan, a large multi-year National Institute for Health and Care Research study is underway to examine the public health impacts of NoLo products, with findings of the study expected in the coming year.

Alcohol-free drinks are already tax advantaged compared to alcoholic drinks because they do not attract alcohol duty, which is charged only on products containing 1.2% alcohol by volume (ABV) or more. This reflects the Government’s intentions to encourage healthier lifestyle choices.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. VAT is the UK’s third largest tax, forecast to raise £180 billion in 2025/26. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

Soft drinks and non-alcoholic drinks are subject to the standard 20 per cent rate of VAT. Further information about the VAT treatment of soft drinks and non-alcoholic drinks can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/food-products-and-vat-notice-70114

The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances. The Government welcomes representations from relevant stakeholders in advance of the Budget.

Alcohol-free drinks are already tax advantaged compared to alcoholic drinks because they do not attract alcohol duty, which is charged only on products containing 1.2% alcohol by volume (ABV) or more. This reflects the Government’s intentions to encourage healthier lifestyle choices.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. VAT is the UK’s third largest tax, forecast to raise £180 billion in 2025/26. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

Soft drinks and non-alcoholic drinks are subject to the standard 20 per cent rate of VAT. Further information about the VAT treatment of soft drinks and non-alcoholic drinks can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/food-products-and-vat-notice-70114

The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances. The Government welcomes representations from relevant stakeholders in advance of the Budget.

Defra regularly engages with supermarkets and producers on a range of food supply matters. However, it is not for the Government to set retail food and drink prices nor to comment on day-to-day commercial decisions taken by businesses.

Defra regularly engages with supermarkets and producers on a range of food supply matters. However, it is not for the Government to set retail food and drink prices nor to comment on day-to-day commercial decisions taken by businesses.

In Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, the Government has committed to tackling harmful levels of alcohol consumption through exploring options to encourage consumers to reduce their alcohol intake by substituting standard strength drinks with no- and low-alcohol alternatives. One of the first steps will be to explore raising the upper alcohol limit for drinks labelled as alcohol-free to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) from 0.05% ABV, aligning with international standards, to support the growth of the sector and provide clarity to consumers and producers.

At the same time, we will explore measures to regulate access to no- and low-alcohol products in line with other alcoholic beverages, including prohibiting sales to individuals under the age of 18 years old.

Manufacturers, retailers, and industry stakeholders have a key role to play in working with the Government to improve the health of the nation. Ministers and officials regularly engage with these groups when developing policy.