09/04/2003

Price hike on cigarettes and beer

UK Chancellor Gordon Brown has announced an 8p rise on a pack of 20 cigarettes in today's Budget.

He has also announced duty increases on wine and beer - 4p on a bottle of wine and 1p on a pint of beer. However the duty on spirits and cider remained unchanged.

The levy on cars will rise by £5, but duty on fuel has been frozen for six months.

There were no changes made to the rate of personal taxation.

(SP)

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