CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale has expressed regret at the Government’s failure to ban the sale of alcohol below cost. The Government are instead banning the sale of alcohol at below excise duty and VAT which is just 47p a pint.
This will have virtually no impact on the rock-bottom prices of beer in supermarkets and will do nothing to alleviate the pressure on pubs where the price of a pint is rapidly approaching£3.
CAMRA has long been campaigning for a ban on below-cost sales of alcohol, which was a clear manifesto commitment of both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.
However, for any ban to have a meaningful impact it is vital that the cost of alcohol production is factored in, which for beer will produce a floor price of around 40p a unit– double what is being proposed.
Mike Benner, CAMRA’s chief executive said: “Today’s decision means pubs will continue to close as they are undercut by supermarkets selling canned beers at pocket money prices. A ban on selling beer at below duty plus VAT will have a negligible impact as supermarkets sell only a tiny proportion of beer at belowthese levels.
“CAMRA believes a floor price of around 40p a unit would be required to prevent supermarkets selling alcohol at a loss. The Government’s decision to set a floor price of only 21p a unit is a betrayal of their previous promise to ban the sale of alcohol at below cost and means supermarkets will continue to be able to sell alcohol as a loss leader.
“It is a blow to pub goers that with pub prices approaching £3 a pint the Government have decided to give the green light to the supermarkets to charge as little as 47p a pint.
“The Government appear all too ready to impose higher costs and regulations on well-run community pubs but are prepared to turn a blind eye to the irresponsible attitude towards alcohol expressed by the supermarkets.”
Source: CAMRA
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий