Budget changes to alcohol duty: only the Whisky industry is happy

• Alcohol Concern criticised the 2007 Budget delivered to the House of Commons for failing to address the damage done by alcohol misuse. Srabani Sen, Chief Executive, said:

"Once again the Treasury shows how unwilling it is to make the difficult choices required to cut down the level of alcohol-related harm in the country. This year's increases in excise duty (that are only in line with inflation) means that alcohol remains 54% more affordable than it was twenty years ago, despite the evidence showing that taxation is a key tool for reducing excessive consumption, and the damage this causes.

There was a real opportunity for the Treasury to show some leadership and contribute to positive change at a time when Government is conducting a comprehensive review of its alcohol harm reduction policies. But for this year at least, that chance has been lost" 

politics.co.uk

• The Scotch whisky industry was last night toasting the Chancellor's 10th year without a tax hike on spirits, but its festive mood was not shared by health watchdogs. Doctors have been calling for a sharp rise in alcohol prices in order to combat Scotland's epic problems of ill-health and violence associated with alcohol. Instead, they got 1p on a pint of beer or cider, 5p on a glass of wine and 7p on sparkling wine, and nothing on spirits, encompassing everything from Scotch, vodka, rum, rum, gin - and alcopops.

Dr Peter Rice, spokesman for Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, was dismayed that the Chancellor had frozen the duty on Scotch whisky and other spirit drinks.

"Alcohol misuse and related harm is one of biggest public health problems in the UK, and Scotland in particular," he said. "We have seen worrying trends, a rise in liver disease and in hospital admissions. There is strong evidence that the price of alcohol affects how much people drink, yet it is 60% more affordable now than it was 25 years ago, and there has been a three-fold increase in liver disease in that time."

Angus Robertson, vice-chairman of the all-party parliamentary Scotch Whisky industry group, also welcomed the continuing freeze, for which he had been strenuously lobbying. As SNP MP for Moray, Mr Robertson has a constituency containing more than half of of Scotland's malt whisky distilleries. He said: "The whisky sector is one of Scotland's key industries and the Treasury has recognised the need for a duty freeze." 
The Herald

• Pub trade associations and brewers have hit out at the rise in duty on alcohol announced in today’s Budget. And consumer group the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) said pubs had been denied a "lifeline". Gordon Brown revealed that beer will rise by 1p a pint from midnight on Sunday.

"This is a slap in the face for one of Britain's world beating businesses," said Mark Hastings, director of communications at the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA). “Gordon Brown has chosen to turn his back on a brewing sector facing intense pressure from rapid cost inflation and the forthcoming smoking ban.”   

The Publican

Comments

[Charlotte Hough]

To expect Gordon Brown to do anything on regarding the ever incresing alcohol problems is unrealistic. He increses taxes all the time but does it in such a way to confuse people and f lead them to believe they are better of! An increased tax on alcohol would be blatant, transparent and hugely unpopular to anyone not in the medical profession or alcohol services. Soemthing the Scottsman can ill afford at this time.