Closing time for 'antisocial drinks'
Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling pledges raft of new taxes on alcoholic drinks fuelling antisocial behaviour
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By Adam Leveridge. |  |
Wednesday, 07, Oct 2009 12:42
By Matthew Champion.
A Conservative government would impose a raft of new taxes on alcoholic drinks that fuel antisocial behaviour, it was announced today.
Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said the UK drinking culture had "gone too far".
He told the party's conference in Manchester the Tories wanted to "tear up" the government's licensing regime, while supermarkets would be banned from selling alcohol below cost price.
"We'll start with the problem of 14-year-olds hanging around with bottles of super-strength beers or ciders," Mr Grayling told delegates.
"It's much too easy for them to get very drunk quickly and cheaply."
Pledging "big increases" in the tax on drinks with high alcohol content but available cheaply he added: "We will increase the price of a four pack of super strength lager by £1.33.
"We will more than double tax on super strength cider.
"And our planned increase on alcopops will raise the price of a large bottle by £1.50."
Mr Grayling added that the tax changes would not affect responsible drinkers.
"The ordinary pint in the pub will not be affected, and there'll be exemptions for some local traditional products," he said.