Minimum alcohol pricing makes minimum sense
28 November 2012
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Commenting on government proposals for a minimum price of 45p per unit for the sale of alcohol in England and Wales, Mark Littlewood, Director General at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said:
“If the medical establishment could find a way to limit us to one small sherry per day, they would. For the time being they will be content with getting their hands on a crucial lever of competition – price. Don’t be surprised if a minimum price escalator is introduced a little further down the road.
“It is remarkable that a government that is often criticised for its ‘cabinet of millionaires’ is prepared to introduce a policy that will make the poor poorer but leave the rich alone.
“’The era of big government has run its course’, said David Cameron as leader of the opposition. I couldn’t agree more.”
Notes to editors:
To arrange an interview with an IEA spokesperson, please contact Stephanie Lis, Director of Communications: 020 7799 8909, slis@iea.org.uk
The mission of the Institute of Economic Affairs is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems.
The IEA is a registered educational charity and independent of all political parties.
“If the medical establishment could find a way to limit us to one small sherry per day, they would. For the time being they will be content with getting their hands on a crucial lever of competition – price. Don’t be surprised if a minimum price escalator is introduced a little further down the road.
“It is remarkable that a government that is often criticised for its ‘cabinet of millionaires’ is prepared to introduce a policy that will make the poor poorer but leave the rich alone.
“’The era of big government has run its course’, said David Cameron as leader of the opposition. I couldn’t agree more.”
Notes to editors:
To arrange an interview with an IEA spokesperson, please contact Stephanie Lis, Director of Communications: 020 7799 8909, slis@iea.org.uk
The mission of the Institute of Economic Affairs is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems.
The IEA is a registered educational charity and independent of all political parties.
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