The Chancellor, John Healey, has confirmed that alcohol duty will rise in line with Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation, which stands at 3.9%. According to City AM, this takes the duty on a pint from 50p to 52p.
That confirms both the RPI uprating and the reported rise of about 2p a pint. City AM's figures add up. A 3.9% rise on 50p is 1.95p, which rounds to 2p.
Healey also announced £10m of extra alcohol duty relief for small brewers and cider makers. HuffPost UK puts the number of producers who will benefit at around 2,000. City AM says it is more than 2,000.
The Treasury's Budget document, as quoted by City AM, says:
"Small alcohol producers make an important contribution to the economy and local communities"
Before the statement, the pub industry argued that the increase would add pressure on struggling businesses.