The Government has announced measures for a "below cost ban" will be defined as the rate of duty + VAT, despite concernspress release said "This is an important first step in delivering the government's commitment to ban the sale of alcohol 'below cost' price." The measures will prevent the sale of:
- litre of vodka for less than £10.71
- 440ml lager for less than 38p
- litre of cider for less than 40p
- 700ml whiskey for less than £8
There has been controversy over how a 'below cost ban' could be defined since the Coalition pledged a crackdown on cheap alcohol. The on-trade had warned that supermarkets would 'beat a below cost ban' under a duty + VAT definition, arguing production and distribution costs should be factored in. A press release from the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers’(ALMR) said it would “make no difference to pocket money prices on the high street nor the irresponsible retailing practices of Britain’s supermarkets”. > > > > Read More
