UK nightlife industry share anger over increased alcohol duty and drink prices

nme.com:

The Independent. Gin and vodka, meanwhile, will also go up by 90p.The only upside is that draught pints in pubs across across the UK will be cut by 11p.The move has been strongly condemned by the Night Time Industries Association, which claims that the “planned alcohol duty increase today threatens to inflict severe damage on an already struggling industry that plays a crucial role in our nation’s economy and cultural vitality”.The NTIA is now urging the government to reconsider “this detrimental action and engage in meaningful dialogue with industry representatives to understand the far-reaching consequences of this decision”.NTIA CEO Michael Kill said: “The recent actions taken by decision-makers to implement the biggest single increase in alcohol duty in almost 50 years, coupled with the wilful withdrawal of support and the imposition of already excessive taxes, have ignited anger and frustration across the night time economy sector.”“From the withdrawal of non-domestic energy support to changes in the late-night levy, the withdrawal of regulatory easements and now the biggest increase in alcohol duty for several decades, the consequences of these decisions are becoming increasingly burdensome.“As a sector that has stood resilient in the face of unprecedented challenges, we cannot help but feel neglected by the very authorities we have supported during the pandemic crisis.