Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the VAT charged on alcohol supplied by (a) pubs and (b) supermarkets on the level of competition between those sectors.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services, including alcohol sold at both pubs and supermarkets. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited by both legal and fiscal considerations.

The Government understands the vital role the hospitality industry plays in the UK economy. We have implemented a new alcohol duty system on 1 August, which also has many benefits for pubs. The new Draught Relief provides a significant duty discount on alcohol sold in containers of 20 litres or more, in pubs and other on-trade venues. As well as this, the Government’s ‘Brexit Pubs Guarantee,’ confirms that the duty on a draught pint will always be lower than its equivalent in a supermarket.

The Government continues to keep all taxes under review.