The Conservative government froze alcohol duty in the Spring Budget. It was an announcement it originally made in last November’s Autumn Statement. However, new analysis shows that, for example, on St Patrick’s Day the price of a pint of Guinness is actually still higher than it was three years ago – with wine, gin, and whisky now more expensive than they were in November. Hardly a freeze, is it?
Guinness up, gin up, wine up – so where’s the alcohol duty freeze?
The latest analysis by finance experts RIFT has revealed that a pint of the black stuff will cost St Patrick’s Day revelers 69p more per pint on Sunday 17 March when compared to three years ago, with the price of a pint of stout also creeping up since November of last year, despite the continued freeze on alcohol duty.
The analysis of Office for National statistics (ONS) data by RIFT shows that since this announcement was made, the price of a pint of larger has come down marginally, falling by a penny since November last year. A pint of bitter has also fallen by two pence, with cider now five pence a pint cheaper.
But it’s bad news for Guinness drinkers, with the average cost of a pint of stout having actually increased by two pence since November of last year, now averaging £4.73 per pint.
Both whisky and gin have also seen a two pence increase for a 30ml measure versus November of last year, with a bottle of wine (+£0.19p) the only other pub staple to have seen a larger increase in cost.
St Patrick’s Day: more expensive than ever
While a two-pence increase on a pint of Guinness may not seem too significant, it means the average cost for a pint of stout has increased by £0.37p in the last year alone, with a pint now costing £0.69p more versus three years ago.
In the last year, only the cost of a bottle of wine, whisky, and gin have seen a higher increase in cost than a pint of stout.
Bradley Post, MD of RIFT, commented:
The pints of Guinness will be flowing this Sunday, but unfortunately for punters, they will be costing us a fair bit more compared to last St Patrick’s Day.
In fact, the price of a pint of stout has also crept up since November of last year, despite the government’s freeze on alcohol duties.
This is because pubs have to contend with a whole range of costs when it comes to the supply of a pint and so while a freeze on alcohol duties will have helped in some respect, it doesn’t guarantee that you will pay the same price or less when purchasing your favourite tipple.
Featured image via Guinness – screengrab
