Lib Dems would act on tax and off-trade
The Liberal Democrats have promised to tackle cheap supermarket alcohol and review the "ill-thought-out" alcohol tax in their election manifesto.
Reforming business rates and live music licensing is also promised. But there's no mention of action on the beer tie, despite the party committing to do so earlier this year.
The manifesto, released today, says: "We support a ban on below-cost selling, and are in favour of the principle of minimum pricing".
This would be "subject to detailed work to establish how it could be used in tackling problems of irresponsible drinking".
On tax, the manifesto says: "We will also review the complex, ill-thought-through system of taxation on alcohol to ensure it tackles binge drinking without unfairly penalising responsible drinkers, pubs and important local industries."
It says the party would reform business rates so they are based on site values rather than rental values.
Rate relief for small firms would be automatic and the rates burden would be spread between small and large businesses.
As expected, the manifesto supports the removal of the need for live music licences for venues with a capacity under 200, and re-introducing the two-in-a-bar rule.
Other areas of interest include extending the right of employees to request flexible working and having a "sunset clause" and a "one in, one out" policy on new regulations to reduce extra burdens on businesses.
Breaking up banks to build up "diverse local and regional sources of funding" is also proposed.
The beer tie gets no mention, despite Lib Dem licensing spokesman Don Foster promising reform in an interview with the Morning Advertiser in March.
Foster told the MA that pubs should be allowed to opt out of the tie and have at least one guest beer. Restrictive covenants and upward-only rent clauses in leases would be outlawed.
