THE Oxford Artisan Distillery is among businesses writing to Chancellor Sajid Javid urging him to freeze and reform spirits duty in the Budget.

TOAD based in Headington is a member of the UK Spirits Alliance, which launched in July.

Other members include The British Distillers Alliance, which has more than 130 members, and The Gin Co-Operative, who have more than 80 Scottish gin makers, and international companies such as including Diageo, Pernod Ricard and Bacardi.

Oxford Mail:

The letter from the UK Spirits Alliance recognises that Government has in recent years ‘backed our industry with a stable excise duty regime’ but notes that spirits duty in the UK still remains among the highest in the world, with UK consumers paying over 70 per cent excise duty on national drinks such as Scotch Whisky and gin — with the tax on a typical £14 bottle currently £10.38.

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The alliance added: “We ask you to support the UK Spirits Alliance campaign to fix excise duty – first by freezing it for the length of this parliament, then reforming it.

“The Government should join us in celebrating the global thirst for British drinks, backing jobs, growth and UK success by fixing spirits duty.”

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The letter features signatories from all corners of the country, with sign-ups as far apart as the Scottish Highlands and Cornwall.

Spirit duty rates on UK consumed spirits have increased from £21.35 per litre of pure alcohol in 2008 to £28.74 in 2019.

A date for the next Budget has not yet been set.