Taxation and pricing - last few days to submit proposals or evidence to the Treasury as part of the current review. Submissions must be made before 31st August 2010.
Trade leaders were reportedly 'positive' after a recent consultation workshop as part of the taxation review - Morning Advertiser (MA). A BBPA spokesperson said 'we put the case strongly for beer and the need to re-balance the duty system towards lower strength products.' However a spokesperson from the ALMR warned that targeting problem drinkers through taxation was not straightforward. Workshops have also been held with health groups, breweries and retailers.
Meanwhile Middlesbrough has become the latest area to look at a local minimum pricing approach, the MA reports. the area is seeking to include a condition in its new licensing policy that premises should not sell below 50 pence per unit. The draft policy, which still needs approval, says 'where premises are found to be selling alcohol below this price, a review of the premises licence will be sought, if relevant representations are made.' Other local minimum pricing approaches have been sought in Manchester, Oldham and Portsmouth.
A Guardian letter has proposed a 'tin tax' as an alternative way to address binge drinking whilst also reducing the environmental impact of rubbish, packaging and containers.
The MA has also highlighted the second part of the mandatory code will come into effect on the 1st October after suggestions it would be reversed, though the Coalition may still later rescind it to make way for its licensing reform - also under consultation.
The Department for Transport has claimed there has been no decision yet made on whether a possible reduction in the drink drive limit will be scrapped, reports the Publican. There was recent speculation that the possible reduction had been ruled out. Earlier this year a Government commissioned report [pdf] called for the drink-drive limit to be reduced from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg.
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