Alcohol pricing welcomed
Ministers change their policy to consider a minimum price on alcohol
Quakers have welcomed government plans for alcohol pricing – but urged them to set a higher minimum price than they have suggested.
Until last week, the UK government had rejected calls from Quaker Action on Alcohol and Drugs (QAAD) for a minimum price per unit of alcohol. Ministers have now changed their policy and are considering a minimum price of forty pence per unit in England and Wales.
The Scottish government will introduce minimum unit pricing this summer, with Northern Ireland following suit next year.
QAAD’s Helena Chambers said it was ‘good news’ that the government have accepted a principle for which many Friends have campaigned. She called on ministers to opt for fifty pence rather than forty.
Comments
The whole alcohol duty system needs completely reforming. It is ridiculous that 1 litre of 5.5�V cider has less duty on it than 1 litre of 5.5�V wine, and sparkling cider has FIVE TIMES the duty of otherwise identical still cider! All duty should be uniformly based on the alcohol content, as it is the alcohol itself that is the controlled content whose supply is being regulated.
By jgharston on 30th March 2012 - 1:15
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