Tory Alcohol Tax Proposals Would Fuel the Black Market
11 Jul 2007
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), the campaigning voice of over 33,000 local shops has spoken of its concern about proposals set out in ‘Breakthrough Britain’ by the Social Justice Policy Group to increase alcohol taxes and its rhetoric on absolving people of personal responsibility for their alcohol consumption.
The Group which has set out 190 proposals that will be considered for inclusion in Conservative Party Policy is aimed at repairing Britain’s Broken Society proposals include alcohol duty and reviewing the Licensing Act were just two.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “In considering whether to adopt the proposals on alcohol tax as party policy, the Conservatives have to think carefully about the relationship between high tax and the growth of a criminal and uncontrolled black economy. The UK has extremely high tax rates already and it this fuels bootlegging. This has to be a major consideration in any decision to further increase duty.
“We support the existing Licensing Act and we believe that it has provided a flexible and extremely tough set of controls and sanctions on those that sell alcohol. We do not believe that this alone will change the behaviour of an irresponsible minority of alcohol drinkers and that education from a young age alongside penalties for drink fuelled disorder have to be a key component of tackling alcohol related disorder. “
Contact:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
ACS
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
ACS
01252 515001
Notes to Editors:
1. ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial services.
2. You can view the Breakthrough Britain Report here http://povertydebate.typepad.com/
The Group which has set out 190 proposals that will be considered for inclusion in Conservative Party Policy is aimed at repairing Britain’s Broken Society proposals include alcohol duty and reviewing the Licensing Act were just two.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “In considering whether to adopt the proposals on alcohol tax as party policy, the Conservatives have to think carefully about the relationship between high tax and the growth of a criminal and uncontrolled black economy. The UK has extremely high tax rates already and it this fuels bootlegging. This has to be a major consideration in any decision to further increase duty.
“We support the existing Licensing Act and we believe that it has provided a flexible and extremely tough set of controls and sanctions on those that sell alcohol. We do not believe that this alone will change the behaviour of an irresponsible minority of alcohol drinkers and that education from a young age alongside penalties for drink fuelled disorder have to be a key component of tackling alcohol related disorder. “
Contact:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
ACS
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
ACS
01252 515001
Notes to Editors:
1. ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial services.
2. You can view the Breakthrough Britain Report here http://povertydebate.typepad.com/