The price of some of the nation's favourite drinks could be set to soar in a major blow to Brits.
A new tax policy will come into force from tomorrow (Tuesday, August 1) while the freeze to alcohol duty ends on the same day, meaning your average tipple could be about to get much more expensive.
Taking Sainsbury's current prices as an example, the Independent estimated how much the cost of your poison could rise – but stressed the supermarket giant hadn't confirmed whether the price increases enforced by the government will be applied literally.
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How much will your drink of choice now set you back?
Fans of beer can expect a price hike of 10.1%. This would see the cost of a 620ml bottle of Peroni Nastro Azzurro go up from £2.40 at Sainsbury’s to £2.64 if the exact percentage is added on.
If you're a wine drinker – specifically a fan of Barefoot Pinot Grigio, which currently retails for £8 a pop – you could be looking at a price increase of 44p, to £8.44.
When combined with VAT this could see customers pay an extra 53p per bottle, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).
For gin and vodka fans, the cost of a bottle could be set to go up by 90p thanks to duty and VAT.
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A one litre bottle of Bombay Sapphire Gin currently costs £28.50 at Sainsbury’s but will go up to £29.40 if the price changes are applied literally.
Meanwhile, one litre of Smirnoff Red Label Vodka retails at £22.50 with the new price estimated to be £23.40.
The changes are coming into force after Rishi Sunak and and Jeremy Hunt agreed to tax alcohol based on its strength, with tax hikes of up to 20% coming into force.
This also comes at the same time the freeze to alcohol duty is ending and will now see inflation at 10.1%.
Scotch Whisky Association director of strategy Graeme Littlejohn said: "The 10.1% duty increase is a hammer blow for distillers and consumers.
"At a time when inflation has only just started to creep downwards, this tax increase will continue to fuel inflation and make it more difficult for the Scotch Whisky industry to invest in growth and job creation in Scotland and across the UK supply chain."
But it's not all doom and gloom as the chancellor is also cutting the duty charge on draught pints in restaurants and boozers across the UK.
It's good news for for pub-goers, who could see the price of their tipple fall by 11p in August.
The British Beer & Pub Association found an average a pint currently sets you back £4.07 or £4.84 in London.
But with the changes in place, this could fall to £3.98 or £4.75 in the capital.
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