£1.50 to be slapped on cost of alcopops

Published on Thursday 8 October 2009 00:28

THE price of super-strength beer and alcopops will be massively increased in an attempt to cut binge drinking, under plans unveiled by the Conservatives.

Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling told the party's conference that he would double the price of supermarket-brand high-strength cider, one of the cheapest drinks on the shelf.

The move would apply across the UK, but in Scotland ministers are also planning to introduce a blanket minimum pricing policy, covering all alcoholic drinks.

The Tory move would increase the price of a four-pack of super-strength lager by 1.33. A large bottle of alcopops would rise by 1.50. Mr Grayling said: "The ordinary pint in the pub will not be affected and there will be exemptions for some local traditional products. But we'll call time on the drinks that fuel antisocial behaviour."

The SNP seized on the announcement to claim that the UK Conservative Party had bounced its Scottish party, which opposes minimum pricing, into a crackdown.

SNP MSP Michael Matheson said: "This announcement by the Tories is an embarrassment to the Tories in the Scottish Parliament."

But MSP Murdo Fraser, the Scottish deputy leader, welcomed the announcement, saying targeting tax rises at problem drinks was the correct approach.