Background Note
7.Budget 2014 announced a reduction in the rates of excise duty on beer by 6 per cent for lower strength beer and 2 per cent for the standard rate of beer duty. The duty rate for high strength beer duty will increase by 3.9 per cent, which will result in the total duty rate for high strength beer being reduced by 0.75 per cent. The rates of duty on spirits and other drinks of a strength exceeding 22 per cent, still cider and perry and sparkling cider and perry of a strength of 5.5 per cent or less will be frozen in 2014-15; this does not require legislation. This section also increases the excise duty on wine and made-wine by the rate of inflation (based on the retail price index).
