Taxes on strong beers to increase

Taxes on high-strength beers and lagers are to be increased as part of a drive to encourage responsible drinking, it was announced yesterday.

The additional duty will come into effect from autumn 2011 and will be imposed on beer with a strength above 7.5 per cent alcohol by volume, said Downing Street. Duties on low-alcohol beers with a strength of 2.8 per cent or less will be reduced.

The amount of the new tax will be revealed by Chancellor George Osborne in his Budget next spring. Prime Minister David Cameron's spokesman said it was intended to be large enough to influence drinkers' behaviour.

Today's Public Health White Paper makes clear that ministers are determined to tackle the issue of problem drinking.