CAMRA proposes levy on off-trade sales

CAMRA has urged the government to consider a levy on bottles and cans of alcohol sold in the off-trade.

The proposals have come in the group's submission to the government's review of alcohol taxes.

CAMRA has also called for a move towards a "preferential" duty rate on draught drinks sold in pubs.

It has repeated its call for government to scrap the duty escalator and introduce a "long-term strategy to reduce the level of taxation on beer to support the viability of brewers and community pubs".

The consumer group said it wants the ratio between beer and spirits tax to return to "1995 levels".

"The introduction of the beer duty escalator has imposed significant harm on pubs and pub-going responsible drinkers without meaningfully reducing problem drinking," the submission stated.

The proposals are in direct contrast to Diageo's, as the drinks giant has called for duty to be equalised on all drinks.

Other recommendations were:

- introduce a zero rate of duty on beers below 2.8 per cent ABV, and work towards establishing a reduced rate of duty for beers below 3.5 per cent ABV

- retain small breweries' relief and consider extending it; and retain the duty exemption for very small cider producers

CAMRA has also submitted a response to the government's shake-up of the licensing regime. It says any changes to the laws must "reflect the role of cheap alcohol in the off-trade" and "must focus not just on punishing premises where irresponsible drinking takes place, but on encouraging and rewarding well-run pubs".

The group has suggests a minimum price between 35p and 40p should be introduced.