Tax revenues from so-called ‘sin taxes’ levied on alcohol, tobacco, gambling and sugary drinks have fallen to 3.1% of total UK tax receipts, according to HMRC figures for 2022-2023.
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Last August’s duty hikes for wine and spirits have contributed to December’s unexpected rise in UK inflation, it has been revealed, as the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) announces that the rate for the sector is now three times higher than it was this time last year.
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As of yesterday (1 January 2024), several new wine reforms introduced by the government have taken effect, including the removal of importer addresses from wine labels.
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Following another turbulent year for the drinks trade, Miles Beale, CEO of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), reflects on the highs and lows of 2023, plus the hopes and plans for businesses in the year ahead.
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Recent results from a UK government testing programme have suggested a dramatic increase in the proportion of wine that contains multiple pesticide residues – up from 14% in 2016 to 50% in 2022.
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The fifth Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris is due to take place from 12 to 14 February 2024 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. The Vinexposium group’s flagship exhibition has announced it will welcome 3,900 exhibitors (+15%) and 40,000 (+28%) trade visitors for its 2024 event.
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Wine and spirit businesses continue to urge the chancellor to freeze alcohol duty at the Autumn Statement.
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As part of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the largest modification to wine labelling in the EU in over a century comes into effect next month, forcing producers to embrace new technology, writes Jo Gilbert.
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Wine and spirit businesses are calling on the chancellor to freeze alcohol duty until the end of parliament, when Jeremy Hunt delivers his Autumn Statement on 22 November.
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Representatives of more than 400 businesses have written to the chancellor demanding an alcohol duty freeze in the Autumn Statement.
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In what the government describes as a Brexit benefit, imported wine will soon have the option to be blended, carbonated, sweetened, and de-alcoholised in-market.
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Following a public consultation, the government has set out reforms for the wine sector which will begin in 2024.
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The Retail of Alcohol Standards Group (RASG) has published a new set of guidance to prevent underage drinkers from purchasing alcohol via home delivery services.
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The Specialist Importers’ Trade Tasting can reveal that the WSTA’s Miles Beale and Simon Cairns will be joining Harpers at its autumn edition, taking place in both London (18 September) and Manchester (20 September).
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The alcohol duty hikes on 1 August 2023 were the biggest the UK has seen in nearly fifty years and the changes will impact all wines across the country.
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With wine duty set to increase by 20% and spirits duty by more than 10%, how might supermarkets offset these costs? James Bayley reports.
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The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has spearheaded the development of the UK’s first low and no alcohol guides, amid exponential growth in the burgeoning sector.
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Henry Jeffreys dives into the growing world of premium spirits and how newly elevated category heroes are creating a halo effect.
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A year on from its appeal to diversify its board, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has welcomed four new board members.
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The government claims its new proposals will “put a rocket” under UK trade by enabling businesses to “blend” and “transform” bulk wine on home turf, though some say it will sound the death knell for wines of provenance. Jo Gilbert wades in.
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