Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Wine: Pint Measures

Thursday 2 May 2024 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK wine companies are expected to produce wine in pint measures, specifically 568 ml, under the Weights and Measures (Intoxicating Liquor) (Amendment) Regulations 2024, effective from 19 September 2024.
  • The Department of the Minister issued a press release on 27 December 2023, announcing that 'pints' of wine would be stocked on Britain's shelves for the first time ever.
  • The UK wine industry comprises over 900 vineyards and produced 12.2 million bottles of wine in 2022.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Patrick Grady SNP
Business & Trade
Context

The question stems from the Weights and Measures (Intoxicating Liquor) (Amendment) Regulations 2024, which introduce changes to pre-packed wine sizes. The regulations are set to come into effect on September 19, 2024.

Question

Whether UK wine companies have sought advice from her Department on preparations for producing wine in pint measures under the Weights and Measures (Intoxicating Liquor) (Amendment) Regulations 2024.

Answer from Kevin Hollinrake

The 568 ml pint quantity is one of several changes to pre-packed wine sizes that are expected to come into force on 19 September 2024, supporting the thriving UK wine sector by providing opportunities for innovation and greater choice. In light of those changes, Wine GB—which represents producers—said: 'We welcome the chance to be able to harmonise still and sparkling bottle sizes and we are happy to raise a glass to the greater choice that allows UK producers for domestic sales.'

Answered
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Q2 Patrick Grady SNP
Brexit
Context

The question arises from a press release issued by the Minister's Department on December 27, 2023, titled 'Pints of wine stocked on Britain's shelves for the first time ever.' The release suggested that pints of wine would be available immediately in UK stores.

Question

That answer is nowhere near as definitive as the press release that the Minister's Department put out on 27 December last year—which is still on the Government website—with the headline 'Pints' of wine stocked on Britain's shelves for the first time ever'. That headline did not say 'will be stocked', 'might be stocked', 'could be stocked', or 'to be stocked'; it implied that pints of wine were, and are, available to buy right now in shops across the UK. Will the Government admit that the reality is that there has been little to no demand for, or interest in, that supposedly glorious Brexit benefit, and that in fact it is entirely possible that pints of wine will never be stocked on UK shelves?

Answer from Kevin Hollinrake

It is never difficult to distinguish the hon. Gentleman from a ray of sunshine, is it? Our wine industry is thriving, with over 900 vineyards across Great Britain. The UK wine industry produced 12.2 million bottles of wine in 2022, and our new post-Brexit powers provide us with new options. Those include new legislation that aligns existing sizes across still and sparking pre-packed wine so that both can be sold in 200 ml and 500 ml quantities, for which we know there is good demand.

Partly answered

Not addressed: acknowledged the industry's growth but did not address the specific question about demand for pint-sized wine bottles or whether they would be stocked on shelves.

How: Changed Subject To General Industry Trends

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