Free Spirits – Well That’s the Last Thing on the Government’s Mind
Free Spirits –
Well That’s the Last Thing on the Government’s Mind
The winds of change are blowing around the UK and for the first time tax revenues from the sales of spirits have overtaken those from beer. And the great winner of new trends is gin which has achieved record sales says HM Revenue & Customs. Last year was full of cheer for gin makers as we gulped down 12% more gin while the monies raised from beer went flat and this despite a boom in those rather nice new craft beers.
Spirits Rise
Of course wine revenues dwarf both spirit and beer income with taxes on wine raising in excess of £4bn in the year and that showing a 5% year on year rise. But did you know that the British bought 40m bottles of gin a year, enough to make 28 gin and tonics for every adult in the country. I’ll have you know I keep my end up in this competition! But did you know how much of the price of a bottle that the government snaffles from you in excise tax. An average bottle is £13.66, I know I can’t find that anywhere either, and the government takes £10.33 of that. It’s enough to turn you to drink! And of course as I have written in many a blog since we started, the majority of gin in the UK in produced in Scotland. The nation is obviously keeping much of the government’s spending going! The duties on spirits in the UK are the fourth highest in Europe after Sweden, Finland and Ireland. Now that’s a league you don’t want to be top of.
A League of Your Own
However, the league we want to be on top of is the excellent customer service league, keeping us in your good books with fine offerings and we are proud this month to be launching some fabulous Royal Crown Derby collectibles. Have a look at the lovely Little Owl which has a 5 star customer review. These little beauties will look great on your mantle or become fabulous gifts to be treasured by the lucky recipient. Or try the lovely bluebird of happiness, the swallow, which with my sums has 20% off. I know one swallow doesn’t make a summer, but a decent saving might. In fact all of the Royal Crown Derby range has offers on it at the moment. Love it!
