Friday 04 September 2015
Changes to the annual arrangements for the implementation of its budget proposals for excise duty rates for alcohol are today being announced by the Treasury and Resources Department.
Traditionally, the publication of the Budget is accompanied by the introduction of a "temporary" budget Order that allows the Department to introduce any changes in excise duty rates that it is recommending on the date the Budget is published. These changes then remain in force until the States then debate the Budget. They are then either confirmed by the States or, if changes are agreed to the Budget as part of the debate, they are amended.
Looking ahead to this year's arrangements, Minister for the Treasury and Resources Department, Deputy Gavin St Pier, said:
"In last year's Budget, the Department flagged its intention to return to the States this year with proposals to change the system of excise duty on alcohol to one based on Alcohol by Volume in future. Our colleagues within the Customs and Excise Division of the Guernsey Border Agency have been consulting with the trade over these plans. Having considered the feedback from this process, we recognise that, if approved by the States, they will represent a substantial change in how excise duty is levied which will require some adjustment for all involved. We want to ensure that retailers have an opportunity to plan accordingly.
Having taken the results of this consultation into account, the Department has agreed that any recommendations in its forthcoming budget for changes in the excise duty arrangements for alcohol will be on the basis that they come into effect on 1st January, 2016, rather than when the budget is published at the end of this month. We very much hope that this will allow traders the necessary time to adjust to any new arrangements."
-ENDS-
