Home Office structural reform plan: licensing overhaul imminent but below cost ban may wait until 2012

The release of the Home Office business plan 2011-2015 states that legislation in respect of alcohol pricing will be introduced in May 2012 - but only "if necessary". However the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill to overhaul alcohol licensing will be completed by December 2010.

The plan states on page 15:

ii. Develop proposals to change alcohol pricing to ensure that it tackles binge drinking, including options to ban below-cost sale of alcohol, working with other government departments. Pricing options must be enforceable, compatible with EU trade law and easily implemented by business - end date April 2011

vi. Introduce legislation, if necessary, in the second session of Parliament to implement changes to alcohol pricing - end date May 2012

The Publican reported that the 'below cost ban has been delayed until May 2012 and will now only be introduced “if necessary”.' The below cost ban has previously been under the spotlight, raising questions over how it would be defined and implemented.

The HM Treasury business plan states the alcohol taxation review 'to tackle problem drinking' will conclude in March 2011. All Government department's business plans can be found here.

Comments

[Chris Bradley]

The word 'tackle' is becoming increasingly meaningless when appearing in HMG policy statements.