Should there be an increase in tax on alcohol?

[Connor Sephton]

The "blunt" bit was used when hit over the head, couldn't understand

Oh, sorry Stuart - did I take your quote out of context?

They shouldn't have printed The Ridiculous Remarks of Stuart Whatshisface in Hardback

[Sput]

The "blunt" bit was used when hit over the head, couldn't understand

Oh, sorry Stuart - did I take your quote out of context?

They shouldn't have printed The Ridiculous Remarks of Stuart Whatshisface in Hardback

I know. It was arrogance personified!

[Nini]

I don't drink alcohol so it doesn't bother me if it increases.

"Tax is a blunt instrument, just don't use it on me."

[Alexia]

I don't drink alcohol so it doesn't bother me if it increases.

"Tax is a blunt instrument, just don't use it on me."

The tacks I have are blunt on one end, sharp on the other.

/ducks various shaped fruits being thrown from all directions

[Andrew Wood]

Been too lazy to read through the whole thread, but...

1) Lots of media hype - no doubt spurred on by the Government - about the ill effects of alcohol.
2) It's the Budget on Wednesday.

Personally there should be no increase in tax on alcohol. All the measures to prevent misuse are in law and have been for years.

No sale to under 18s.
No sale to people supplying under 18s.
No consumption on licensed premises by under 18s except with meals.
No sale of liquor to intoxicated people.

If the above were actually applied by the licensed trade (and they were - on the whole when it was tenanted landlords looking after their living, not managers in brewery owned pubs looking after the bottom line with 18yo bar staff who wouldn't say boo to a goose let alone refuse the sale of alcohol) there would be far fewer issues.

[Stuart*]

Personally there should be no increase in tax on alcohol. All the measures to prevent misuse are in law and have been for years.

Unfortunately I think there will be a massive increase in tax on alcohol. It will be cheered by all in the Commons tomorrow, in the sure and certain knowledge that not only is their 24/7 bar subsidised, but what little they do have to pay is claimed back in expenses.

I'm sure that an excuse for the increase will be given; probably relating to improving public health. Whatever happens tomorrow I can guarantee that the outlook for my bank account will be considerably less healthy.

[Mr Q]

You're really quite charming, Mr Q. I'm satisfied by your explanation.

Well, what can I say - I'm always in the presence of such charming people here at Metropol.

1) Lots of media hype - no doubt spurred on by the Government - about the ill effects of alcohol.
2) It's the Budget on Wednesday.

Quite bizarrely, we seem to be enjoying the same media cycle here in Australia. Although our budget doesn't get handed down until May, we've already got our government here pledging a new public information campaign to warn against the dangers of alcohol consumption. Our new Prime Minister has jumped on the bandwagon in spectacular fashion, declaring binge drinking an 'epidemic' in Australia.

[Nini]

New theorem: This sort of thing, much like climate change scares, are cyclical. They'll drop off the agenda once our guilt and assumed by-products of these ills go away and return eventually, the evergreens of societal scare stories if you will.

Again, merely pissing in the wind.

[Stuart*]

I agree Nini. The problem is that although public interest passes on to another topic in time, the increased tax levy remains.

[DVB Cornwall]

well we got it....

Treasury Microsite

Alcohol Duty Rates
As incomes have risen, alcohol has become increasingly more affordable. A 6
per cent increase in all alcohol duty rates will come into effect on 17 March
2008. This will add 4 pence to the price of a pint of beer, 55 pence to the price
of a bottle of spirits and 14 pence to the price of a bottle of wine. In order to
ensure that alcohol duties keep pace with rising incomes alcohol duty rates
will increase by 2 per cent above the rate of inflation in future years.

plus ....

Tobacco Duty Rates
Maintaining high levels of tax on tobacco helps to reduce overall tobacco
consumption. Budget 2008 therefore announces that, from 6pm on Budget
day, tobacco duties will increase in line with inflation, adding 11 pence to the
price of a packet of 20 cigarettes.

Fuel Duty Rates
The planned fuel duty increase of 2 pence per litre in April 2008 will
be delayed until 1 October 2008. Main road fuel duty rates will rise
by 1.84 pence per litre on 1 April 2009, and will increase by 0.5
pence per litre above inflation on 1 April 2010.

[Nick Harvey]

14 pence to the price of a bottle of wine.

I shall expect Mr Tesco to be absorbing at least 20p of that 14p rise.

That's three-and-a-half pence a glass. Bloody disgusting, Alistair, darling.

All the bloomin' binge drinkers on a Friday and Saturday night are on red wine, after all.