Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the new system of alcohol duties announced in October 2021, what discussions he had had with Cabinet colleagues about the objectives of that new system, and what recent assessment he has made of its potential contribution towards a reduction in alcohol harm.

The Chancellor meets with his Cabinet colleagues on a regular basis, to discuss a variety of issues.

Autumn Budget 2021 announced a number of reforms to alcohol duty as part of the alcohol duty review. The aim is to move to a new system that taxes all products in reference to the litres of pure alcohol they contain, as is currently the case for spirits. This will ensure stronger alcoholic products pay duty in proportion to their alcoholic content. The reforms will also introduce a reduced rate of duty for products of a lower alcohol by volume (ABV).

The government will provide an update on the alcohol duty reforms in due course.