Beer, wine and spirits prices set to go up from today (UK) 1/Feb/2026

Rachel Reeves's alcohol duty rise kick in on Sunday. It will mean tax on a bottle of wine has gone up by £1.10 in less than three years. The drinks industry is warning it will "have no choice but to increase prices" as a new rise in alcohol duty rise takes effect. Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed in November's autumn budget that alcohol duty would rise in line with Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation. As a result this tax charged on alcoholic drinks will increase by 3.66% from today, and although it's manufacturers who pay, industry chiefs warn there may be a "trickle down" effect to shoppers. Official data shows the changes will see the duty on a typical bottle of gin, with 37.5% alcohol by volume (ABV), increase by 38p to £8.98, after VAT. A bottle of Scotch whisky at 40% ABV will see its duty increase by 39p to £9.51. Meanwhile, a bottle of 14.5% red wine will see its duty increase by 14p. The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) said taxes on red wine at that strength had gone up £1.10 a bottle since the current alcohol duty regime was introduced in August 2023. For beer, a spokesperson for the British Beer and Pub Association said the cost of a pint at the pub could rise by 2p, with brewers facing a £130m increase in costs industry-wide. #alcoholprices #alcoholUK #alcohol #UKprices