Theresa May promises support for the pub trade
She told MPs that the strategy would target dangerous drinkers and harmful drinks, such as super-strength beers and ciders, but confirmed that pubs, bars and restaurants would not be affected.
“The local pub has nothing to fear,” she told MPs.
She said the plans in the strategy would target problem drinkers but said British pubs were the safest and friendliest places for people to drink.
She confirmed that the Government would no longer be considering the introduction of below cost selling (duty plus VAT) but would be concentrating on minimum pricing.
She also confirmed that a range of measures in the Police and Social Responsibility Act would be introduced on 26 April. This includes doubling the fine for persistent underage sales to £20,000, making it easier to shut down premises persistently selling alcohol to under-18s and increased power for licensing authorities to remove licences.
“We need to deal with the dangerous drinkers, crack down on the irresponsible businesses and stem the tide of cheap alcohol.
“That means providing punishment and treatment for those who have shown they can’t drink sensibly. It means tightening our licensing laws and cracking down on those who sell alcohol to children or drunks. And it means, for the first time, putting a sensible price on those drinks that cause harm.
“Most drinks will not be affected, but cheap vodka, super strength cider and lagers will go up in price. The dangerous drinks will become more expensive; the price of a normal pint in the local pub will not increase by a single penny.”
The statement was only the fourth statement to be made on a Friday in the past 10 years in Parliament. The previous statements covered the wars in Iraq and Libya, as well as swine flu.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper accused the government of making the statement on a Friday to avoid the negative coverage of the Budget. She launched a stinging attack claiming that MPs have been by-passed over the alcohol strategy with the majority of MPs reading it in the national press first.
