The U.K.'s finance minister, Jeremy Hunt, announced plans to increase "draught relief" in his budget statement.

 

The U.K.'s finance minister, Jeremy Hunt, announced plans to increase "draught relief" in his budget statement.    The change will come into effect from August 1st and will be retained as part of a new "Brexit pubs guarantee." The change will coincide with a rise in alcohol taxes in line with inflation, ending a freeze since 2020.   The duty paid on a typical pint poured from a tap in a pub will remain unchanged. The government also plans to increase taxes on stronger alcoholic products like wines and spirits. Diageo, the maker of Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky, criticized the alcohol duty rise. Diageo said it is a "hammer blow for pubs, drinkers and for Scotch, a homegrown industry supporting tens of thousands of jobs."