WSTA: Minimum pricing proposals are practical

Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, responds to the government’s proposals for a duty-and VAT-based alcohol minimum price:

“We have consistently argued for a ban on the sale of alcohol below the level of duty plus VAT on the basis that these are both consumer taxes and therefore the cost should be passed on to the consumer. This is the practical way to implement this policy.

“It is important this policy is applied nationally. We are sure ministers will want to ensure it is not undermined by separate and different price initiatives by local authorities.

“It’s equally vital to recognise that alcohol pricing and taxation cannot provide the solution to alcohol misuse. What’s needed is education and rigorous enforcement of laws to address misuse and related anti-social behaviour.”