The Conservative Party today announced plans to reduce anti-social behaviour among young people through a programme of targeted tax rises on so called problem drinks. These drinks have been identified by alcohol concern organisations as amongst the most problematic alcohol drinks available in Britain, and include binge drink favourites such as alcopops, and super strength beers and ciders.
IN stark contrast to the Government's plans, the package is designed to be revenue neutral, giving tax cuts to lower alcohol content drinks. Similar approaches have been successful in reducing the consumption of problem drinks in Australia and Germany.
Mark Garnier, Wyre Forest's Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman, said:
"I am delighted by these proposals. They are specifically designed to target those areas that most concern residents of Wyre Forest. On a recent survey that I conducted across the district, one of the biggest worries from residents was that of antisocial behaviour in town centres by youngsters being the worse for wear after drinking. This is a scourge that causes damage and litter in towns, it frightens local residents, and it uses valuable police resources. This measure is the first that I have seen that directly tries to tackle the problems."
The key elements of the proposals are:
- A duty increase on problem drinks - alcopops, strong beer and strong cider.
- A tax cut for low-strength beer and cider.
- No overall increase in revenues from alcohol taxation.
- Wines, spirits, and 90 per cent of beer and cider consumed in Britain are unaffected.
- The UK's most popular beers and ciders - including Carling, John Smiths, Guinness, Stella Artois, Strongbow and Magners - will not be affected.
- The leading accountancy firm Grant Thornton have reviewed this alcohol tax package at the Conservative Party's request, and have confirmed that the costings are realistic.
The proposals have been endorsed by third party organisations and individuals
Don Shenker, Director of Policy, Alcohol Concern:
'Strong cider, strong beer and alcopops are some of the cheapest and most problematic alcoholic drinks available in Britain. There's no doubt that measures of this kind will put a dent into teenagers' ability to buy and drink these products excessively'
Christopher Day, Professor of Liver Medicine at the University of Newcastle:
'I strongly support this targeted tax package. The strongest evidence based approach is to increase the price of problem drinks and reduce their availability. This has worked in countries across the world - and I'm in no doubt that it will work here in the UK too.'
Dr Michael Wilks, President of the Standing Committee of European Doctors:
'Today's proposals are a significant step forward in acknowledging the relationship between taxation levels and consumption of alcohol, but also in the need to specifically target those drinkers who are doing themselves harm. These measures to reduce binge-drinking will reduce harm to young people, and tackle the public disorder it causes.'
Coors Brewers Ltd, one of the biggest alcohol producers in the world:
'The Australian Government has actively encouraged the development of lower strength beers and we strongly welcome policy proposals that promote this category in the UK.'