Thames Reach has welcomed the Chancellors decision to tackle problem drinks in the autumn budget.
No increases have been made in alcohol taxation in this budget but the Chancellor pledged to tackle those drinks responsible for binge drinking and excessive consumption of alcohol in the October budget.
Jeremy Swain, Thames Reach Chief Executive, said: “We are disappointed that there has no been no increase in the taxation of dangerous super strength lagers and strong white ciders this time around but welcome the Chancellor’s decision to tackle problem drinks in the autumn.
“Super-strength drinks are the biggest killer of homeless people in the UK and are responsible for fuelling anti-social behaviour and creating health problems among the wider community.
“We hope that these problem drinks will be taxed to such an extent that their consumption diminishes dramatically.”
Thames Reach Chief Executive Jeremy Swain has written to the Chancellor calling on him to raise the taxation on dangerous super-strength lagers and ciders.
Dear Chancellor
Homelessness charity Thames Reach has been campaigning relentlessly since October 2005 for a tax increase on super-strength lagers and ciders. These dangerous super-strength drinks are undoubtedly the biggest killer of homeless people in the UK and are also responsible for fuelling anti-social behaviour and creating health problems amongst the wider community, resulting in a huge burden and soaring costs for our health service.
We were therefore delighted when the Conservatives announced their plans last year to increase the tax on these problem drinks, backing this up with a pledge in the most recent manifesto. We also feel that David Cameron was entirely right when, in March 2010, he drew a distinction between ordinary strength cider made from apples and the dangerously high strength white ciders made with the addition of glucose and corn syrup.
The UK has a long standing beer and cider making culture and Thames Reach is not opposed to responsible drinking and manufacturing of alcoholic beverages. However, in an age of corporate social responsibility, it is irresponsible that drinks companies such as Carlsberg are producing half-litre cans of 9% super-strength lager which contain four and a half units of alcohol, more than the Government’s daily recommended alcohol limit of 2-3 units for women and 3-4 units for men. Meanwhile, the white ciders, usually 7.5% in alcoholic strength, are cheaper than lemonade.
Study after study over recent years has shown that people’s behaviour around alcohol consumption follows price. Our own work with homeless people has shown that when people switch from super-strength lagers and ciders to regular and premium strength drinks, both their health and behaviour invariably improves.
Our request is that in your budget of June 22, these dangerous super-strength drinks get taxed to such an extent that their consumption diminishes dramatically. We would suggest a price for a 500ml can of super-strength lager should be at least £2.25, or around 50p per unit of alcohol. Currently a can of super-strength lager can cost as little as £1 from a local off licence. We would also back any plans introduced by your colleagues in government to give local councils the powers to clamp down on these drinks.
We would be delighted to support any activities to illustrate the benefits of increasing the tax on super-strength lagers and ciders and can provide former homeless people whose lives have been blighted by these drinks but have stopped drinking to speak candidly about their experiences.
We worked with over 1,000 people last year who are addicted to these dangerous drinks. Our figures show that more homeless people have died over the last decade from excessive consumption of these drinks than have died from the misuse of dangerous, illegal drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine. It’s time to act and we are happy to give you our full backing, should you take the step of taxing these drinks heavily, in what will ultimately be a life-saving exercise.
Yours sincerely
Jeremy Swain
Thames Reach Chief Executive
