Budget follow-up: Sin taxes spared
This year's Budget did not contain severe increases of so-called sin taxes, which will certainly please the nation's army of drinkers and smokers.
Link: Budget 2004
The cost of a price of cigarettes went up in line with inflation by 8p, as did the price of a pint (by a penny) and a bottle of wine (4p).
There was no increase on cider, sparkling wine or spirits.
Brown said the freeze on the last of these was the longest in nearly half a century, but spirit producers will be concerned at the announcement that the government will adopt the Roques Report’s recommendation to stamp spirit bottles, unless a workable alternative can be found