More than two-thirds of pints of beer and glasses of wine served in UK pubs and bars are being short-poured, according to new research.
A report released by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) on Friday revealed that 70% of the beer and wine samples collected across the country were under-measured.
This discrepancy means the average beer drinker loses about £88.40 annually, while wine drinkers lose approximately £114.40 per year.
The research emerges amid rapidly rising alcohol prices in recent years. According to the Office for National Statistics, alcohol prices increased by 6.1% over the past year, although they saw a slight rise of 0.3% in the last month due to slowing inflation.
CTSI found that short-measured beer was typically 4% less than a full pint, while wine was on average 5% less than the standard 175ml glass.
Among the 137 drinks sampled in 77 pubs and bars, the most significant shortfall was found in Walsall, West Midlands, with a drink being 15% (or 26ml) under-poured.
Significant shortfalls were also noted in Belfast and Havering, East London.