The price of a pint in the UK is reported to be set to rise by 2p in Chancellor John Healey's first Budget on Wednesday 28 October 2026, as alcohol duty rises in line with the Retail Price Index, currently 3.9%, according to reports citing The Telegraph. The increase has not been announced by the Treasury; it is reported as expected, and the Budget itself will confirm the position.

What the reported rise would mean

Under the reported plan, the duty on a pint would rise from 50p to 52p. A bottle of wine could rise by between 10p and 12p depending on its strength, and a bottle of gin at 37.5% could rise by 35p. Alcohol duty is charged on drinks stronger than 1.2%, and the reported rise follows pleas from pub chains and trade bodies for a freeze.

Pubs press for wider relief

MPs and trade groups have warned the Treasury to look beyond the pint. The UK Spirits Alliance, representing small and large distillers, is calling for a cut to spirits duty, which it says has risen 17% since August 2023, while spirits receipts fell by £94 million last year and are £1.1 billion lower than the Office for Budget Responsibility estimated in 2023. Labour MP Carolyn Harris, chair of the all-party group for UK spirits, said ministers should treat every drinker fairly rather than relying on a penny off a pint.

Sources: The Scottish Sun, reporting The Telegraph. Figures are as reported ahead of the Budget, not confirmed Treasury announcements.