Budget 2008: Drug treatment charity issues warning on alcohol prices

By Tom Lloyd Wednesday, 12 March 2008

Alcohol and drug treatment charity Addaction has warned that the government will need to do more than raise prices to stop young people drinking excessively.

In the Budget the Chancellor announced that from 17 March the duty on alcoholic drinks will increase by six per cent, raising the cost of a bottle of spirits by 55p, a bottle of wine by £14p, and a pint of beer by 4p.

This will be followed by increases of two per cent above inflation in subsequent years.

Addaction said that although the move is welcome, additional measures will be needed.

Director of operations Richard McKendrick said: "This must be combined with legislation that will see minimum prices fixed to avoid supermarkets absorbing the costs before they are passed on to the consumer.

"It is a scandal that you can buy alcohol more cheaply than water in major supermarkets."

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