Industry organisations have welcomed a commitment by the Conservatives to look into alcohol taxation.
UKHospitality chief executive, Kate Nicholls, said: “The duty system has been a barrier to growth for some time and a review is long overdue. This is a measure we have been pushing for. If the Conservatives are successful at the general election, we hope they push forward with this as a matter of urgency.
“A lower rate for on-trade drinks would help lower costs for hospitality businesses and, hopefully, attract more customers into the on-trade. This could stimulate growth in high street businesses, while making drinking in pubs and bars a more attractive financial prospect than pre-loading, which could help promote healthier attitudes to alcohol.”
