Sunday, 28 February 2010

Depressed spirits

The Sunday Telegraph reports that, in the forthcoming budget, Alistair Darling is planning to increase alcohol duties by even more than the swingeing “alcohol duty escalator”, with the potential of a staggering £8 a bottle rise in the duty on spirits. Of course, that won’t happen, but it’s not hard to see a £2 a bottle increase. I’m sure the pensioners who enjoy a nightcap of Tesco’s own brand Scotch will appreciate that. Any above-inflation duty increase will also be yet another kick in the teeth for the beleaguered pub trade. I wonder what the risible Minister for Pubs will have to say about that. Well, I don’t actually, it will be nothing.

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1 comment:

  1. Brian, follower of Deornoth1 March 2010 at 09:26

    "Well, I don’t actually, it will be nothing."

    Oh no. The Minister will appoint a staff, and they will commission research, and focus groups will be appointed, and reports produced and recommendations made. Perhaps even legislation would be forthcoming.

    Of course, to defray the costs of these undoubted benefits, a small levy will have to be made...

    ReplyDelete

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