Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, Member of Parliament for Solihull West and Shirley, met with Mr Frazier of Frazier’s Wine Merchants in Shirley.
Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP said:
It was a pleasure to visit Shirley based Frazier’s Wine Merchants who are an excellent family-run business.
I have met many businesses across the constituency since my election, and it’s clear the upcoming budget needs to carefully consider and support our independent businesses.
Currently, Excise Duty is the same for all wines with an abv of between 11.5-14.5%. This is based upon a simple easement calculation. However, under the new Government, this easement is at risk of being removed.
I am deeply concerned that wine businesses are now facing 30 different payable amounts according to the strength of their wine. This bureaucracy is unnecessary and creates further challenges for this industry. For example, without the easement, a bottle of wine at 14.5% abv would see the duty increase from £2.67 a bottle to £3.00.
I support the calls from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association for keeping the easement, and to freeze alcohol duty in the budget on 30th October 2024. This simple commitment would help many businesses to forward plan and importantly keep costs down for customers.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS: https://wsta.co.uk/press-release/wine-retailers-warn-customers-price-rises-are-on-the-horizon/
