Lib Dems want alcohol tax hike
The Liberal Democrats have announced plans to raise tax on high strength alcoholic drinks.
The Lib Dems would use the extra money raised to cut VAT on healthy 100% fruit drinks from 17.5% to just 5%.
Shadow chancellor Vince Cable said the move would complete the transformation of the party from the "party of beards and sandals to the party of smoothies".
His comments come after the Tories announced its plans to treble tax on alcopops and high strength lagers and ciders but decrease duty on lower abv drinks.
Cable said: "We should also be using taxes to discourage binge drinking.
"There is massive evidence of the damaging effects of alcohol on health and crime.
"Yet the Government has cut taxes in real terms on highly alcoholic beverages.
"Many will wonder why a government which has raised income taxes on the low paid and Council Tax on pensioners is helping to promote cut price Bacardi Breezers and vodka shots.
"Tax should be raised on drinks with high alcohol content - raising £225 million.
"We would use the money to cut VAT on healthy, 100% fruit juice from 17.5% to 5%."
The trade is waiting with baited breath to hear whether Chancellor Alistair Darling will heed the its call for a duty freeze on beer to help struggling pubs and brewers in Wednesday's budget.
Speculation over the weekend suggested he will cave in to the health lobby and introduce and inflation busting rise in duty.
The MA.co.uk will bring you full news of the budget here tomorrow.
