Chancellor could raise beer prices by 30p a pint in Autumn Budget

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak could be set to raise a pint of beer by 30p in a duty increase in the Autumn Budget, according to reports.

The Times has reported that pubs have already put their prices up due to higher wages and energy increases and supply shortages.

Pub landlords are calling on Sunak to freeze alcohol duty over fears of soaring costs for a pint of beer.

Drinks wholesalers, Mathew Clark and Bibendum have announced that they are going to increase their prices between 3.5 and 5% from November.

A spokesman for the companies, which are owned by the C&C Group, said, “As our industry recovers from the pandemic, the pressure on UK and global supply chains has added increased cost and complexity.”

Dave Mountford, co-founder of the Forum of British Pubs, warned that pubs may have to increase pint prices from 20p to 30p to meet soaring costs.

Mountford said, “In my pub that means I will be charging more than £4 for a pint of cask ale for the first time.

“It will mean much more in areas like London.”