Jason Rust: We have a duty to abolish beer tax increases

Published on Thursday 26 February 2009 09:14

WHAT unites actress Kym Marsh, boxer Ricky Hatton, Britain's biggest manufacturing trade union and MPs from all parties? The answer is abolishing the beer tax and saving local pubs.

In the 2008 Budget, the Chancellor not only imposed a duty rise of nine per cent but also proposed the creation of an alcohol duty escalator. This is designed to increase duty on beer by two per cent above the rate of inflation in each of the next four years and is not only inequitable, but unsustainable.

Beer is, of course, of lower alcohol content than many drinks and a popular drink among income groups most significantly affected by the current economic difficulties.

Evidence clearly shows how unpopular beer tax rises are and suggests more people will decide to consume cheap alcohol from supermarkets at home. Not quite what the Scottish Government was intending.

Encouraging responsible drinking is welcome, but there needs to be a balance between providing people with necessary information such as unit labels and imposing controls which encroach on individual choice.

Needless to say, such an approach tends to have the reverse effect than that intended, by imposing costs and inconvenience on the responsible majority of people.

In some areas, the pub is the last surviving place where people come together to interact on a regular basis. At a time when economic and social forces are producing a more fragmented society, it is even more important to protect those parts of our "heritage" which encourage community life.

Neither tax breaks nor special favours are being sought, just a level playing field. At a time when other industry sectors appear to be getting help, the brewing industry seems to be getting unfairly penalised.

Let's enforce existing laws to ensure irresponsible drinkers and premises are punished and hope that, when the budget is set, the punitive proposals put forward are removed.

Jason Rust is Conservative councillor for the Colinton/Fairmilehead ward.