Budget day ban ignored

THE Chancellor's decision to raise alcohol duty in line with inflation has been called a "sad day" for the nation's distillers, pubs and wider hospitality sector.

- 

Alcohol duty normally rises in line with the Retail Price Index from September which was 4.5%.

Industry leaders had urged the Government to freeze duty in this year's Budget, arguing members were still reeling from the tax hikes introduced in February, and the additional burden of the new glass tax.