CONTACT:
Ryan Khurana
Research Fellow
Consumer Choice Center
ryan@consumerchoicecenter.org

UK’s increased duties on low-cost alcohol will only serve to punish the poor

London, UK – On Wednesday, U.K. chancellor Philip Hammond announced the latest budget in the House of Commons.

Ryan Khurana, Research Fellow at the Consumer Choice Center (CCC), said the increased alcohol duties in the budget will only serve to punish the poor while not focusing on the actual problem of alcohol overconsumption.

“In an otherwise well-received budget, and deserved freezes on the duties of most alcohol products, the decision to increase the duty on lower cost alcohol is both regressive and unnecessary.

“The intended effect of lowered alcohol consumption among the poor is unlikely to occur, as the increased financial strain will increase the stress on those who are currently on the verge of poverty. Empowering, rather than punishing the poor, would have been a wiser decision,” said Khurana.

***CCC Research Fellow Ryan Khurana is available to speak with accredited media on the UK budget and consumer choice issues. Please send media inquiries HERE.***
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The CCC represents consumers in over 100 countries across the globe. We closely monitor regulatory trends in Ottawa, Washington, Brussels, Geneva and other hotspots of regulation and inform and activate consumers to fight for #ConsumerChoice. Learn more at consumerchoicecenter.org.