Article DetailsAxe the Tax Save the Pub or Tax the Pub to Save the Nation? |
| Date Added: April 21, 2009 06:02:36 PM |
| Author: Ian Brown |
| Category: Real Estate Marketing |
| Web information and discussion on the culture of drinking in the UK is at an all time high with both ends of the discussion producing such convincing statistics and arguments that one becomes a complete convert to the cause of the most recently read article.Sir Liam Donaldson, the Governments Chief Medical officer has recommended that a minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol is introduced to reduce consumption. In answer to the “axe the tax save the pub campaign”, he asserts that Pubs would benefit from the minimum unit price in that less cheap alcohol purchased at the supermarket would be drunk. Substantial effects would be seen immediately from this policy, including 3,393 fewer deaths each year, 97,900 fewer. It is clear that all education programmes, encouraging responsible drinking are not working at any level of society. Binge drinking and alcoholism cuts through class and age.The Times online lays out the stats for us; Over the past 30 years, in real terms, beer has become 36 per cent cheaper in pubs, and 139 per cent cheaper to buy at off-sales premises; as a result, total consumption has risen by more than a fifth, with the biggest increase among women and the young. In that time, alcohol-related deaths in Britain have more than doubled, from fewer than 4,000 a year to more than 8,700; the social cost has been enormous. Drink is the cause of nearly half of all violent incidents; in nearly a million assaults last year, the aggressors were believed to be drunk.Then you look at the ‘Axe the Tax’ which reports the BBPA's (British Beer & Pub Association) analysis of alcohol consumption figures since 2004 show the following: (source: BBPA and HM Revenue and Customs, BBPA Statistical Handbook 2008)UK Consumption of alcohol - Litres per head of 100% alcohol2004 9.52005 9.42006 9.12007 9.22008 8.9These figures show that the persistent perception of rising alcohol consumption in the UK is false. The fall could save the economy £8.0 billion over ten years according to the Government's own regulatory impact assessment for the Policing & Crime Bill. This says: "a 1% fall in alcohol consumption is estimated to yield a benefit over ten years of £2.514 billion" ('Impact Assessment for a Code of Practice for the Alcohol Industry')191 MPs have signed the early day motion introduced by Bob Russell for CAMPAIGN TO SAVE THE GREAT BRITISH PUB, from the three major parties as well as independents and nationalists. http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=37002&SESSION=899Meanwhile the campaign group Alcohol Concern member the Labour MP for Stockton South, Dari Taylor, is leading the fight against binge drinking in the Stockton area who are promoting a ‘penny-a-pint if you buy a spirit’ offer at six pubs run by the Dukedom Group. The pubs explanation is that "These are difficult times for everybody and many people have to think before enjoying a social evening out. We hope that the offer will encourage our customers to feel they can still enjoy the conviviality and comfort of their local pub without running up a big bar bill."Of 20 countries where comparable data is available, the UK ranks only 14th in alcohol consumption per head - well behind consumption levels in France and Germany. Alcohol in British off-licences is among the most expensive in Europe. In Portugal good table wine is one euro a bottle and drunken teenagers are nowhere to be seen. In northern Europe people drink themselves stupid despite the price (Norwegians even go on booze cruises to Sweden) but in southern Europe people drink moderately on cheap drink. Binge drinking is a cultural issue just as pub closures are. To stand back and let market forces keep prices low, and allow people their rights to drink themselves stupid seems negligent, especially in light of the successes of other nanny policies such seatbelts and smoking. But perhaps the next stage would be a pedestrian alcohol limit? Over a hundred pubs close down every month with the subsequent loss of jobs. UK Pub Sales Agents: Paramount Investments are specialists in sourcing freehold and leasehold pubs for sale and other pub company or brewery investment opportunities in England, Scotland and Wales for potential property investors.
Paramount Investments 150 West End Lane Web: http://www.paramount-investments.co.uk |
