It looks like attempts to cut down the amount of binge and teenage drinking in the UK might backfire as major off license chains and supermarkets are putting pressure on brewers to absorb the recent alcohol tax rises.
Bargain Booze are quoted in the story as having sent a letter to suppliers, saying:
"...We will have to review the position of any brands where the retail ticket is increased in our business ... We regret to say that we cannot absorb the increases in costs that the Budget would seem to demand.' It asks suppliers to help 'by absorbing these increases within your own company'..."
My own view is that the price of alcohol in the UK has little or nothing to do with a 'binge-drinking' culture, if there even is such a thing.
Alcohol in the UK is far, far more expensive than in continental Europe and if the government are insistent on trying to legislate our lifestyles, they are going to have to find more effective ways to do it.
technomist
I would go further: the price of booze is ridiculous. Why should the government use the justification that some people can't handle their drink to make us pay such swinging taxes. Its a regressive tax: the poor pay more as a percentage of their income to get wasted than the rich, who could be asked to pay much higher taxes on third cars and private jets.