The average shopper will be paying more for their wine this Christmas as a result of the Chancellor’s tax alterations, it has been argued today.
According to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, 82% consumers buy wine priced £8 or less and they will be hit because the government is lowering VAT but increasing duty paid on alcohol.
Chief executive Jeremy Beadles said: “It is staggering that a Government which claims to act in the interests of the many not the few wishes to punish ordinary hard-working consumers who wish to spend the little cash they have left on a drink.
“The Chancellor has turned into Santa Claws, snatching scarce pleasure from millions of people.”
He added: “This is a double whammy for the drinks business – tax changes wreaking havoc during the busy Christmas trading period and another hit to small business cashflow. This is not what I call helping the British economy.”
Beadles had earlier said this was the “wrong tax at the wrong time“.
The Association of Convenience stores has claimed the government has not done enough to help buisnesses, especially in terms of property rates.
