Molson Coors boss Mark Hunter has called for an increase in duty on cider. He said: "I'm happy to compete; all I am looking for is a level playing field when it comes to excise. For every 0.1 per cent increase in the strength of beer, excise goes up by £3 for a barrel. Meanwhile cider is a flat rate of duty all the way to 7.5 per cent. Carling is 4 per cent alcohol and the excise on that is 39p. A pint of Strongbow is 4.5 per cent alcohol and the excise is 20p. "So my question would be why for like-for-like products, one has half the duty rate of another. It's just incomprehensible." It's a question he wants answered in this month's Budget - The Daily Telegraph
Britain's alcohol prices are about to be hiked once again as the cost of beer, wine and spirits are set to rise in the forthcoming emergency Budget. It will be the second such tax rise in three months as the Treasury considers a repeat of the five per cent increase in alcohol duty imposed in the March Budget. Chancellor George Osborne is set to reveal the tax-raising package next week and reports say that VAT is likely to be increased as well. Despite the duty paid on beer and wine having already risen by 26 per cent since the beginning of 2008, and 22 per cent on spirits, prices aren't lightening up any time soon - Daily Mail
More than a third of people believe higher taxes on alcohol, cigarettes and unhealthy food would be the most effective way of cutting NHS spending, a survey found today. If the money spent on healthcare has to be reduced while maintaining the same quality of care, 35 per cent of people think higher taxes should be the answer - The Independent
The pub and club industry suffered 35,500 job losses in the last 30 months, government figures have revealed. The losses are due to big increases in beer duty, according to Peter Bottomley, Conservative MP for Worthing West, who requested the information from parliament. "One major reason is the [former] Government's disregard of the effect of constantly raising beer duty," said Bottomley, who called for the new coalition to "start thinking of the consequences" - Daily Express
A supermarket booze war will delight plenty of football fans as the cost of canned and bottled beer tumbles. With Tesco offering a case of lager for the equivalent of £6.66 in three-for-£20 deals and Morrisons selling three for £18, it means a can of branded lager costs as little as 50p. Compiled with trade magazine The Grocer, our basket of 25 everyday products is cheaper than it was 12 months ago, with 10 items costing less and one staying the same - The Mirror
An inquiry has begun into a suspected arson attack at a pub in Buckinghamshire. Three fire crews were called to The Poachers in High Street, Chalfont St Peter, shortly after midnight. A man and a woman, who suffered the effects of smoke inhalation, were able to get out of the building before firefighters arrived. The pub's ground floor was damaged by fire and by heat and smoke, Bucks Fire and Rescue Service said - The BBC
A campaign has been launched urging football fans to show violence the red card during the World Cup. Every pub and club in Portsmouth has been sent a poster which warns fans that should they cause trouble while watching a game they could be barred or even banned from going to games - Portsmouth Today