UKHospitality has welcomed the Conservative Party’s commitment to a review of alcohol taxation.

Commenting on the announcement, UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls (pictured) said, “This is a positive first step. The duty system has been a barrier to growth for some time and a review is long-overdue.

'This is a measure we have been pushing for at UKHospitality. If the Conservatives are successful at the General Election, we hope they push forward with this as a matter of urgency.'

Nicholls continued, “A key improvement in the system would be a separate rate for draught beer, wine and spirits sold in pubs, bars and restaurants. A lower rate for on-trade drinks would help lower costs for hospitality businesses and, hopefully, help attract more customers into the on-trade.

“This could help stimulate growth in high street businesses while making drinking in pubs and bars a more attractive financial prospect than pre-loading, which could help promote healthier attitudes to alcohol.”