Alcohol Change UK has provided a response to HM Treasury, commenting on government policy and suggesting new ideas to be considered in the upcoming Autumn Budget 2024 and as part of the Spending Review.
In addition to and without accounting for the social cost of alcohol harm to individuals, friends, families, and our communities, alcohol also creates huge economic costs, estimated to cost the UK economy at least £33 billion each year.
The revenue currently generated through alcohol duty pales in comparison to the cost of alcohol harm, while cuts to alcohol duty have cost the Treasury over £23.9 billion between 2013-2028, when compared with raising duty in line with inflation.
Alcohol Change UK has called on the Government to take action on alcohol harm in the Autumn 2024 Budget, with a focus on increasing alcohol duty at 2% above inflation. Alcohol duty is a type of tax paid by companies that produce alcohol.
This would raise necessary revenue for the Treasury, reduce alcohol harm, and encourage the alcohol industry to reformulate products by lowering their strength.
Below you can download and read our response to the consultation.