Fixed alcohol prices unfair, says WSTA

10 November, 2008
Calls for UK government to to set alcohol prices are unfair, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).
 

Calls for UK Government to to set alcohol prices are unfair, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA). In response to a new report released today by the Home Affairs Committee on alcohol and policing, Jeremy Beadles, Chief Executive of the WSTA, said: "As this review found, where current laws to tackle alcohol related harm are used, they are effective.  There are more than enough laws to deal with alcohol related disorder but the police do not have the resources they need to enforce them."

 "Calls for Government to set the price of alcohol or raise prices for everyone are simply unfair, particularly in the current economic climate, and will do nothing to stop the small minority who misuse alcohol.” Beadles added that rather than using the blunt instrument of tax or price, the Government ought to build on the examples of good partnership between the industry, police and local government to reduce alcohol harm.