observer Posted November 28, 2012 Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 Seems Gov are going to impose minimum prices on s/market sales of booze, to hopefully cut down on booze related crime. Will it work, or will alkys just rob the booze, or rob the money to buy the booze or simply resort to illegal home made booze? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asperity Posted November 28, 2012 Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 Of course it won't work, but hopefully the supermarkets will use the increased profits to discount the price of higher priced drinks. :mellow: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfie Posted November 28, 2012 Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 Often wondered (even though I am tee-total) why the percentage of alcohol in a bottle of wine has steadily increased over the last 20 years or so. Some wines are now only slightly lower than the fortified wines like Port or Sherry. So wouldn't it be sensible to lower the amount of alcohol and keep the price the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted November 28, 2012 Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 If they weakened the wine, I would have to buy more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted November 28, 2012 Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 Stowells Low alcohol white wine. 4.5% (instead of the usual 14% in a standard bottle of white) and tastes pretty much the same... plus it is only £3.50 a bottle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted November 28, 2012 Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 You could drink grape juice, it's got no alcohol, and its less than a £1.00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted November 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 Turning wine into water, a new take on a biblical story?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asperity Posted November 28, 2012 Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 Today's politicians don't have a clue. The way to increase revenue isn't by forcing up prices and taxes, it's by dropping prices and taxes thereby giving the populace more money to spend. Increased consumption leads to increased revenue for the taxman. Win Win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted November 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 I agree - partly Asp: but the majority ain't got the money. However, IF they taxed the few who have, they could reduce taxes of the majority; thus allowing them to spend it and get the economy back on the road. However, in this case, I don't think they're actually "taxing" booze, just fixing the price it can be sold at, thus boosting the profits of the S/markets - which they may tax in turn of course! The EU may intervene, as it may be contrued as an "anti-competative" move. The question is: will more expensive booze, stop addicted drinkers or stop youngsters getting legless in Town Centres at the week-end? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asperity Posted November 28, 2012 Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 Actually 2/3 of the people who earn enough to be liable for the 50% tax rate have already left the country ( same thing has happened in France). There is a thing called the Laffer curve, which I'm sure I've mentioned before, which shows at what point raising the rate of taxation ceases to become profitable. And 50% is too high so your fantasy of soaking the rich aint going to work simply because they have enough money to afford to move to a more friendly tax country. This leaves the rest of us having to fork out more to finance our politicians' fantasies. This idea of raising the price of booze is just another knee jerk reaction to a problem that doesn't really exist. We have laws in this country against people getting drunk and causing problems, but they aren't used effectively. In Poland, for example, someone found intoxicated in the street and picked up by the police is put in a drunk tank and not released until they are sober. They are then charged for any costs incurred for returning them home. This is obviously too simple for us sophisticated Brits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted November 28, 2012 Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 The question is: will more expensive booze, stop addicted drinkers or stop youngsters getting legless in Town Centres at the week-end? Simple answer... 'NO' Many youngsters and others go out for one reason only and that is to get 'bladdered'.. cost does not seem to matter There was a chap on the news tonight who was a recovering alchoholic and he said people will pay the extra, especially those who are 'addicted'. It did say that the price increase wont affect pubs though as they already charge higher that the set unit price so will mainly affect supermarkets and their special offers etc. OK so what about all the pubs and bars in Warrington with mega cheap drinks to entice people in. Some even charge an entrance price so drinks prices can be even lower... will they be stopped too ???? Whatever way the increase on minimum price will surely only benefit the government who will be quids in with increased revenue from the booze taxes as everyone just puts up with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davy51 Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 What does a unit of alcohol actually equate to ? I take it that it isn't the same as the doctor's unit of half a pint of beer.I am sure the government's eye is really on the tax that can be made on it though & not on the health of the nation . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted November 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 Asp, if your going fishing, you first need nets without holes in them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asperity Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 I think you will find that a net consists of lots of holes Obs :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted November 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 ..but with a mesh size to catch the really big fish, whilst letting the tiddlers through! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asperity Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 If that is supposed to be an analogy for a tax system then it really is full of holes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Sid Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 One pint of 6% beer is about 3.5 units Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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