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Tories plan 'alcopops' tax hike Tories plan 'alcopops' tax hike
(8 minutes later)
The Conservatives say they will raise tax on super-strength beer, cider and alcopops to tackle binge drinking if they win the next general election.The Conservatives say they will raise tax on super-strength beer, cider and alcopops to tackle binge drinking if they win the next general election.
Tax on alcopops would be trebled, but money raised would be used to reduce tax on low-strength beer and cider.Tax on alcopops would be trebled, but money raised would be used to reduce tax on low-strength beer and cider.
The Tories' want to hit the drinks they believe fuel yobbish behaviour, without penalising "sensible" drinkers.The Tories' want to hit the drinks they believe fuel yobbish behaviour, without penalising "sensible" drinkers.
A spokeswoman for the chancellor said there was no provision in European law for a separate tax on alcopops.A spokeswoman for the chancellor said there was no provision in European law for a separate tax on alcopops.
She added that their sales were going down.She added that their sales were going down.
Duty on spirits has been frozen since 1998 and Chancellor Alistair Darlingis expected to raise alcohol taxes in next week's Budget.Duty on spirits has been frozen since 1998 and Chancellor Alistair Darlingis expected to raise alcohol taxes in next week's Budget.
'Problem drinks''Problem drinks'
BBC political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti said the Conservatives wanted to put pressure on ahead of the Budget by showing how they would tackle under-age and binge-drinking through the tax system.BBC political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti said the Conservatives wanted to put pressure on ahead of the Budget by showing how they would tackle under-age and binge-drinking through the tax system.
The Conservatives say they would look to treble duty on alcopops - a mixture of spirits and fruit juice - and significantly raise it on strong beer and cider.The Conservatives say they would look to treble duty on alcopops - a mixture of spirits and fruit juice - and significantly raise it on strong beer and cider.
You can tackle the binge drinks without having an overall increase in the tax on alcohol George OsborneConservativesYou can tackle the binge drinks without having an overall increase in the tax on alcohol George OsborneConservatives
In a package of proposals to be published later, the Conservatives will say Labour's approach to alcohol taxation has failed and "problem drinks" had become more affordable.In a package of proposals to be published later, the Conservatives will say Labour's approach to alcohol taxation has failed and "problem drinks" had become more affordable.
Shadow chancellor George Osborne told the BBC: "What we want to show people is you can tackle the binge drinks without having an overall increase in the tax on alcohol, without having a stealth tax really on ordinary people who go about drinking and don't cause the trouble."Shadow chancellor George Osborne told the BBC: "What we want to show people is you can tackle the binge drinks without having an overall increase in the tax on alcohol, without having a stealth tax really on ordinary people who go about drinking and don't cause the trouble."
Under the party's proposals, a £2 can of super-strength beer would rise to £2.38 while a £1.25 litre of strong cider would rise to £1.66. Under the party's proposals, a £2 can of super-strength beer would rise in price to £2.38, while a £1.25 litre of strong cider would rise to £1.66.
Alcopops costing around £1.25 a bottle would cost £1.79 under the Conservatives' plans.Alcopops costing around £1.25 a bottle would cost £1.79 under the Conservatives' plans.
The Conservatives say wines, spirits and 90% of beer and cider - including popular brands like Carling, John Smiths, Guinness, Stella Artois, Strongbow and Magners - would not be affected.The Conservatives say wines, spirits and 90% of beer and cider - including popular brands like Carling, John Smiths, Guinness, Stella Artois, Strongbow and Magners - would not be affected.
Meanwhile cider of less than 3% alcohol by volume (ABV) would see duty halved and beer below 2.5% would see "significant" reductions, cutting the price of a pint by up to 8p.Meanwhile cider of less than 3% alcohol by volume (ABV) would see duty halved and beer below 2.5% would see "significant" reductions, cutting the price of a pint by up to 8p.
'Be brave''Be brave'
But figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats earlier show that every year since 2000, around 100 children aged under 8 have been admitted to hospital for alcohol-related problems.But figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats earlier show that every year since 2000, around 100 children aged under 8 have been admitted to hospital for alcohol-related problems.
The Lib Dems say the 10-year freeze on duty on spirits should end and it should go up with in line with inflation since 1997 - adding about an extra £1.50 per bottle.The Lib Dems say the 10-year freeze on duty on spirits should end and it should go up with in line with inflation since 1997 - adding about an extra £1.50 per bottle.
Dan Shenker, of Alcohol Concern, told the BBC the government had to persuade people not to drink excessively and "be brave" in taking steps to ensure alcohol did not become too cheap.Dan Shenker, of Alcohol Concern, told the BBC the government had to persuade people not to drink excessively and "be brave" in taking steps to ensure alcohol did not become too cheap.
In February, the British Medical Association said pricing and promotion of drinks was fuelling an "alcohol epidemic".In February, the British Medical Association said pricing and promotion of drinks was fuelling an "alcohol epidemic".
And last year, campaign group the Health Alcohol Alliance called for tax on alcohol to be increased.And last year, campaign group the Health Alcohol Alliance called for tax on alcohol to be increased.
Initial findings from a government review of "evidence on the relationship between alcohol, price, promotion and harm" are expected in the summer.Initial findings from a government review of "evidence on the relationship between alcohol, price, promotion and harm" are expected in the summer.
On Tuesday the government announced its measures for dealing with binge drinking - including a "two strikes and you're out" policy for off-licences caught selling drink to under-18s.On Tuesday the government announced its measures for dealing with binge drinking - including a "two strikes and you're out" policy for off-licences caught selling drink to under-18s.