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UK bucks global underage drinking trend

Published:  27 March, 2025

Data from the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking’s (IARD) 2025 Report on Underage Drinking can reveal that since 2010, underage drinking has fallen or stabilised in 58% of the 66 countries analysed. Included within this cohort are countries for whom there were reductions of underage drinking of 40% or more including Australia, the US and Japan.

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UKH: Narrow focus on growth leads to poor social outcomes

Published:  24 March, 2025

Analysis from UKHospitality’s (UKH) new Social Productivity Index highlights that the most economically productive sectors deliver the least social value. By contrast, sectors such as hospitality, are most effective at delivering growth more evenly across the country, ensuring social and geographic accessibility.

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Dismay across Atlantic as EU tariffs on US whiskey introduced

Published:  13 March, 2025

The EU’s announcement of a slate of retaliatory tariffs from 1 April on certain US imports has included a 50% tariff on American whiskey and other US spirits. The decision was part of the institution’s response to the Trump government’s recent tariffs on European steel and aluminium.

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New HMRC digital service for managing duty payments goes live

Published:  03 March, 2025

The new digital service from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) ‘Manage your Alcohol Duty’, which went live on 1 March, is purported to allow for easier reporting and online payment services regarding alcohol duty.

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LWC unveils 8% range to offset 2025 duty hike

Published:  07 November, 2024

LWC, the UK’s largest independent drinks wholesaler and wine specialist, has teamed up with South African winery Overhex Wines to launch Kamina, a new range of lower-alcohol wines in anticipation of the February 2025 duty increase. 

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Government backs down on outdoor smoking ban for hospitality

Published:  05 November, 2024

The UK government has confirmed that hospitality venues, including outdoor areas of pubs and bars, will not face new smoking restrictions, following industry outcry over potential impacts on trade. 

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Budget sparks criticism with new alcohol duty reforms

Published:  30 October, 2024

The UK’s Autumn Budget, introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, has announced significant changes to alcohol duties, drawing sharp criticism from the alcohol and hospitality industries. 

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Pubs and hospitality warn of job cuts if rates relief ends

Published:  28 October, 2024

A survey of pubs, breweries and hospitality businesses has revealed that jobs and investment plans would be threatened if business rates relief expires in April, causing bills to quadruple.

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Wine tax goes mainstream with BBC R4 focus

Published:  25 October, 2024

Plans to overhaul the UK's alcohol duty system, discussed on BBC Radio 4 this week, have raised concerns among wine producers, merchants and retailers, who warn that the new regulations could increase costs, disrupt trade and limit the range of wines available to consumers.

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Industry pushes for delay on EPR scheme

Published:  24 October, 2024

With only a few months remaining before the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme begins, UK businesses are calling on the government to delay its rollout, citing confusion, unpreparedness and unclear costs. In a joint letter to Defra, over 80 companies have urged postponing the scheme until there is more clarity on its operation and expenses.

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Alcohol consumers less supportive of calorie labelling, UCL study finds

Published:  11 October, 2024

A new study has shed light on how mandatory calorie labelling on alcoholic beverages might influence consumer attitudes and drinking habits in the UK. Conducted by researchers at University College London (UCL), the survey assessed the potential impact of introducing calorie information on alcohol packaging and its implications for low-risk and hazardous drinkers.

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UKHospitality welcomes flexibility focus in employment rights bill

Published:  10 October, 2024

UKHospitality has welcomed the government’s focus on employment flexibility in the Employment Rights Bill but cautioned that the proposed changes could lead to additional costs and require further consultation to avoid unintended consequences.

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New tip law introduced for hospitality workers in Great Britain but not NI

Published:  01 October, 2024

From today (1 October), hospitality workers in Great Britain will have legal protection to receive 100% of tips paid by customers in restaurants, cafes, hotels and other service industries. However, these rights do not extend to Northern Ireland, leaving workers there without the same protections as the rest of the UK.

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Scotland's alcohol policy fails as death toll rises

Published:  13 September, 2024

In recent years, Scotland has faced a worsening crisis of alcohol-related harm, as the number of deaths linked to alcohol consumption has surged. Despite being the first country in the world to introduce a Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) policy in 2018, the strategy has not achieved the expected results. Coupled with the Scottish government’s controversial plans to ban alcohol advertising, these initiatives have sparked a heated debate on the effectiveness of policy-driven approaches to reducing alcohol abuse.

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Widespread compliance with Portman’s voluntary guidelines

Published:  12 September, 2024

A new review of alcohol labelling in the UK has shown almost universal compliance with the Portman Group’s voluntary health labelling guidelines.

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Scottish hospitality faces regulatory challenges amid visitor levy and cup charge plans

Published:  05 September, 2024

Scotland's hospitality sector is bracing for the impact of new regulations outlined in the Scottish government's Programme for Government 2024-25, including a visitor levy and a proposed 25p charge on single-use cups, which includes plastic beer cups.

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NZ wine industry unveils roadmap to net zero by 2050

Published:  04 September, 2024

New Zealand Winegrowers has unveiled the New Zealand Wine Roadmap to Net Zero 2050 during the Research & Innovation Forum, part of the Altogether Unique 2024 wine celebrations held on 30 August in Wellington. 

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Edinburgh visitor levy scheme draft sparks mixed reactions

Published:  16 August, 2024

A draft scheme ahead of the Policy and Sustainability Committee meeting on 22 August proposes a visitor levy in Edinburgh, allowing accommodation providers to retain 2.5% of the proceeds to cover their costs. The visitor levy, a fee imposed on overnight stays, is intended to raise funds for local services and tourism-related projects. UKHospitality Scotland supports this measure, emphasising that it is vital to prevent the levy from hindering investment, economic growth and job creation in the sector.

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TikTok opens doors to alcohol advertising in the US

Published:  15 August, 2024

TikTok has started allowing alcohol advertisements in the US, a change that began in June. 

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MP urges government to address non-alcoholic drink prices

Published:  14 August, 2024

The government has been urged to collaborate with the drinks industry to reduce the cost of non-alcoholic beers and wines. Mark Pritchard, the MP for The Wrekin, advised health minister Andrew Gwynne to explore ways to lower prices for these drinks.

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