On the eve of Brexit and the Budget I talked with Scott Corfe, research director of the Social Market Foundation think-tank about his proposals for a more rational form of alcohol tax.
- “If an increase in alcohol tax has a regressive impact, you can mitigate that elsewhere, through more generous benefits or through curbing other types of tax.” [19m04s]
- “Minimum alcohol pricing and alcohol duty are policies which have different impacts.” Duty might be a way to cut drinking among higher income groups, who are the biggest drinkers. [13m51s]
- The Conservatives have committed to a review of alcohol duties, possibly diverging from EU rules. Nevertheless, “This might be an area where Europe puts its foot down.” [13m06s]