BBPA concerned at Scottish alcohol policy

The British Beer & Pub Association has called on the Scottish government to review key aspects of its alcohol policy.

Delivering a keynote speech at the 33rd European Brewery Convention in Glasgow, BPPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds highlighted the £1.5 billion contributed to the Scottish economy by the beer and pub trade, as well as 71,000 jobs.

Speaking of the potential for this sector to “create new jobs in Scotland, just at a time when the economy most needs it”, Simmonds warned: “To make the most of these opportunities, Scotland has to get the policy framework right.

“That is why we are concerned about the direction that some aspects of alcohol policy in Scotland is now taking.”

In particular, Simmonds pointed to the governing Scottish National Party’s move to rebalance alcohol taxes in favour of higher strength drinks.

She observed: “The vast majority of countries have tax regimes that provide more encouragement to consumers to switch to lower-strength drinks like beer, and we think this is the right direction to travel.”

Moreover, she raised concerns about First Minister Alex Salmond’s support for using beer taxes to deliver a 45p per unit minimum price.

Simmonds calculated that “The duty-plus-VAT burden on pub beer would more than double, with beer duty, plus the VAT on that duty, topping one pound a pint.”

Instead, Simmonds advocated “policies that support moderate drinking in pubs, and tackle alcohol misuse among the minority of those who misuse alcohol.

“A new dialogue on these issues with the Scottish government has never been more needed, and we will be working hard to achieve this in the coming months.”

Gabriel Savage, 24.05.2011