Nicola Bates, WineGB CEO, said: “English and Welsh wine is one of the UK’s fastest‑growing rural industries, but without targeted support in this budget we risk losing momentum. We simply seek to level the playing field with the support funding that importing other country wine regions have access to, so we can continue to deliver jobs, investment and tax revenue across the country. Our submission sets out a simple truth: with category appropriate duty relief and fair, modernised duty rules, producers can unlock even greater economic value, and contribute to growth in rural postcodes, for the UK.
“We are creating thousands of skilled jobs, generating over £115 million in tax revenues per annum, and building a globally recognised export category from scratch. But producers are carrying disproportionately high costs – from world‑leading duty rates to rising business taxes – that limit their ability to invest, scale and compete internationally.
“The Chancellor now has a clear opportunity to back a sector that is delivering growth in rural postcodes. Measures such as Wine Tourism Relief, a freeze on wine duty, and adapting Small Producer Relief to reflect the realities of wine production would strengthen rural economies, boost exports and support a high‑potential British industry at a pivotal moment.”
“With the right support, our producers can continue to grow, innovate and contribute even more to the UK’s economic future.”
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About WineGB
WineGB is the trade association for UK wine. We cultivate success for our 500 grower and producer members, which represents circa 70% of UK hectarage. We represent the industry to the Government, media, and trade. We provide our members with timely, accurate resources, to help their businesses grow, from guidance and toolkits, to training and marketing access. At the heart of our work, we help members to make, market and tell the story of UK wine. For the latest industry stats see the WineGB Industry Report