Duties

Alcohol and tobacco duties

All alcohol duty rates will be frozen. The government intends to introduce a new duty band in 2019 for still cider of a strength of at least 6.9% but not exceeding 7.5% alcohol by volume.

The duty rate on all tobacco products will continue to increase by 2% above RPI inflation each year until the end of the Parliament. Hand-rolling tobacco will rise by an additional 1% to 3% above RPI inflation this year. The new tobacco duty rates have effect from 6pm on 22 November 2017.

Air Passenger Duty (APD)

The short-haul rates of APD for the tax year 2019/20 will remain at their present levels. The long-haul reduced rate for the tax year 2019/20 will be frozen at the 2018/19 level; the standard rate will increase by £16; and the higher rate will increase by £47.

From April 2018 the Scottish government will replace APD with Air Departure Tax (ADT).

Fuel duty

Fuel duty rates will remain frozen for the 2018/19 tax year.

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)

From 22 November 2017 first-time buyers paying £300,000 or less for a residential property will pay no SDLT.

First-time buyers paying between £300,000 and £500,000 will pay SDLT at 5% on the amount of the purchase price in excess of £300,000.

A first-time buyer is defined as an individual or individuals who have never owned an interest in a residential property in the UK or anywhere else in the world, and who intend to occupy the property as their main residence.

First-time buyers purchasing property for more than £500,000 will not be entitled to any relief and will pay SDLT at the normal rates.

This measure does not apply in Scotland. It will apply in Wales until 1 April 2018, when SDLT will be devolved to Wales.

Single-use plastics waste

The government will launch a call for evidence in early 2018 on how the tax system or charges could help to reduce the amount of single-use plastics waste.