High Beer Taxes in England Compared to Other Countries
Recent analysis by McClarkin from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has highlighted the significant difference in beer duties across various countries. Currently, drinkers in England pay approximately 54 pence in excise duty for every pint of beer. In sharp contrast, countries like Spain and Germany only pay about 4 pence per pint.
Interestingly, the only country with a higher beer duty than the UK is Morocco, where patrons pay 90 pence per pint. McClarkin pointed out this striking disparity, emphasizing the challenges it poses. “That’s the kind of gulf that we’ve got,” she remarked. This is why the BBPA is urging the government to reduce beer taxes, making pints more affordable for everyone.
In addition to the excise duty, pubs in England are also required to charge a 20% VAT (Value Added Tax). When you combine these taxes, over £1.50 of the total price for a pint is made up of tax alone, while fans in other countries benefit from much lower charges.
Moore, also from the BBPA, highlighted the tax rates in larger countries participating in the World Cup, noting that Germany has a VAT of just 7% and France charges about 10%. In many parts of the United States, VAT rates are even lower, generally under 10%. Moore concluded that “all these countries enjoy lower VAT rates for hospitality, and we should be aiming for the same to create a fair competition in the market.”
