WESTON-SUPER-MARE MP John Penrose has condemned the 10% cider tax increase, implemented from today (Monday 29th March), which “threatens the future of a thriving industry” and attacks a drink which is a “much-loved part of the West Country”.

Chancellor Alistair Darling announced in last week’s Budget (Wednesday 24th March) that he would increase the duty rate on all cider by 10 per cent from midnight on Sunday (28th March).

But rather than increase taxes on super-strength ciders to tackle the problem of binge-drinking and alcohol-fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour, the Chancellor imposed a blanket rise on all ciders.

The change means that all ciders will be taxed more heavily, no matter what their alcoholic content, and responsible drinkers will be affected as well as antisocial ones.

John said: “It’s completely unfair to tax the majority of ciders which people like to drink responsibly down the pub.

"Binge drinking and anti-social behaviour are fuelled by cheap super-strength ciders like White Lightning, not mainstream normal-strength cider that’s about the same alcohol percentage as a beer.

"I’m afraid this tax rise has more to do with plugging the black hole in Government finances than a responsible attempt to deal with binge drinking.

"It’s an unnecessary attack on an industry that’s doing well, and which is an icon of the Westcountry too.”