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Duties on alcohol

HM TREASURY News Release (PN/127/08) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 26 November 2008

In the Pre-Budget Report on Monday 24 November, the Government announced that it would increase duties on tax paid on tobacco, alcohol and petrol to offset the temporary cut in VAT to 15 per cent so that prices remained broadly unchanged.

The Government is today making an order to amend the previously announced increase in the rate for spirits from 8 percent to 4 percent, to leave spirits in broadly the same position as other alcoholic products. Orders giving effect to these changes have been laid before Parliament.

Notes for Editors
1. The Alcoholic Liquor (Surcharge on Spirits Duty) Order 2008 was laid on 26 November 2008. This order, together with the Alcoholic Liquor Duties (Surcharges) and Tobacco Products Duty Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/3026) laid on 24 November 2008 will give effect to the rate increases below.

2. Details of the new duty rates for alcohol are available at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/pbr2008/pbrn28.pdf

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