Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The "price of vice" is to rise further as George Osborne looks to the familiar targets of smokers and drinkers to increase revenues. Particularly hard hit will be those who've looked to save money by rolling their own cigarettes – or buying cheaper brands. A 25g pouch of hand-rolling tobacco will rise by 10 per cent, taking a pouch to about £7.33. The price of the best-selling budget cigarettes will rise by around 50p per pack. In contrast, the price of a packet of 20 "premium" cigarettes, such as Malboro Gold, will rise by less. This is because Mr Osborne has increased the "per pack" and "per kilo" tax on cigarettes significantly, while at the same time cutting the percentage of tax which is paid proportionate to the price of the pack.
The move is a deliberate attempt by the Chancellor to incentivise lower income smokers to quit. Overall, tobacco duty will rise an average by 2 per cent above inflation. No changes were made to alcohol duty – but a pint of beer is set to rise by up to 10p, because of changes already announced. This is because in the last Budget the Chancellor announced a tax escalator that automatically increases tax on alcohol by 2 per cent above inflation every year. So this year there will be a 7.2 per cent increase on wines, spirits and beers.
Beer tax has now increased by more than a third since 2008, taking the average price of a pint of real ale to £2.84, and £3.02 for a pint of lager.
Consumers will pay 15p more for a bottle of wine and 54p more for a bottle of spirits from Monday.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments