Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing an easement for fortified wines that are made from fresh grapes after 1 August 2023.

The Government introduced the easement for wine from fresh grapes for wines between 11.5% and 14.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) as producers of wines in this range face unique administrative burdens due to the seasonal variability of the ABV of their product.

The new alcohol duty system will provide a simpler and more consistent duty regime for producers and importers. Fortified wines have benefitted from duty freezes at four out of the last five fiscal events.

The Government has also committed to evaluating the policy and its impacts after implementation.