UK Spirits APPG Launches Industry Call to Evidence on Alcohol Excise Duty
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for UK Spirits has today launched a major Call to Evidence into the impact of the UK’s alcohol excise duty system. The APPG is urging distillers, hospitality operators, trade bodies, and suppliers across the UK to submit their views and experiences to help inform future policy.
This inquiry marks the first formal initiative of the APPG since its establishment in July 2025. The group, Chaired by Labour Member of Parliament Carolyn Harris, was set up to champion the UK’s world-leading spirits industry and promote regulatory and fiscal frameworks that allow the sector to thrive.
The APPG’s Call to Evidence seeks input from businesses of all sizes, from small craft distilleries to large-scale producers, and from pubs and bars to nightclubs and late-night venues, on how current duty rates are shaping operations, competitiveness, and future growth.
In recent years, changes to the alcohol duty regime have significantly impacted spirits producers. In August 2023, a revised duty system introduced by the then-Conservative government saw a 10.1% increase in spirits duty, the largest in decades. As part of last year’s autumn budget, Rachel Reeves and the Labour government increased duty again by 3.65%, in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI).
These consecutive hikes have reignited widespread concern across the sector about the sustainability and fairness of the current excise regime – especially in comparison with the treatment of other alcohol categories and international standards.
The inquiry will examine the structure, application, and outcomes of the excise duty regime for spirits, focusing on:
- The economic impact on UK spirits producers – from small, independent distillers to global exporters
- How duty affects competitiveness, investment, and exports
- The effect on jobs, innovation, and regional economic development
- The broader impact on the hospitality ecosystem, including bars, pubs, and night-time venues
- Comparisons with the duty treatment of other alcoholic beverages and international excise regimes
The Call to Evidence is open from 22 July to 22 August 2025.
Businesses and individuals can submit responses online here
All evidence collected will be compiled into a report that will inform parliamentary discussions and future policy recommendations.
Carolyn Harris, Chair of the UK Spirits APPG, said:
“The UK’s spirits sector is an engine for jobs, exports, and innovation – but successive increases in excise duty are putting its future at risk.
Through this inquiry, we want to give the industry a platform to speak directly to Parliament. Whether you’re a distiller, bar owner, or trade organisation, your insight will help shape a better, more sustainable approach to alcohol duty.”