The controversial cider tax has been scrapped in the last-minute scramble to rush key legislation through before Parliament is dissolved next week.

The increase on cider has been reversed after ministers ran out of time to introduce the legislation before the general election.

The levy was among three taxes in the Finance Bill to be dropped.

The 10 per cent rise in the cost of cider that was introduced on 29 March – will now be reversed on 30 June 2010 unless Labour wins the election.