Fiona has long campaigned for tax to be increased on White Ciders and welcomes the success of the campaign with the inclusion of this in the budget.
High strength, white ciders are the cheapest source of alcohol in the UK. Closely linked to harmful, dependent and underage drinking - they are often sold in 3 litre plastic bottles, containing as much alcohol as 22 shots of vodka, for as little as £3.50.
There are clear links between high strength cider, homelessness and other forms of social disadvantage. There are devastating dangers of white cider to young people; tragically illustrated by the case of 16-year-old Megan Craig-Wilkinson, who died in her sleep after drinking half a bottle of white cider at a New Year's Eve party.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond in his Budget speech in the House of Commons on 22nd November said:
"I turn now to duties. The tobacco duty escalator will continue at inflation plus 2%, with an additional 1% duty on hand-rolling tobacco this year, and minimum excise duty on cigarettes will also rise. Excessive alcohol consumption by the most vulnerable people is all too often done through cheap, high-strength, low-quality products, especially so-called white ciders. I pay tribute to the campaign led by my hon. Friend the Member for Congleton (Fiona Bruce) on this issue. Following our recent consultation, we will legislate to increase duty on these products from 2019. But, recognising the pressure on household budgets, and backing our great British pubs, duties on other ciders, wines, spirits and beer will be frozen. This will mean that a bottle of whisky will be £1.15 less in 2018 than if we had continued with Labour’s plans, and a pint of beer 12p less. So, merry Christmas, Mr Deputy Speaker."
Commenting on the Chancellor's decision on White Cider Dr Richard Piper, Chief Executive, Alcohol Research UK and Alcohol Concern told Fiona:
"[Congratulations] on an outstanding achievement on white cider duty in today’s budget. This measure will make a real difference to thousands of people and your tireless work to make it happen, including galvanising others, has undoubtedly played a vital role in securing this decision.
On behalf of all the people struggling with drink and who use white cider, we are really so grateful for your amazing support."
According to Thames Reach, a homeless charity, "Super-strength drinks have become one of the biggest causes of premature death of homeless people in the UK, and our figures indicate that super-strength drinks are doing more damage than both heroin and crack cocaine". 78% of the deaths in Thames Reach hostels are attributed to high strength alcohol.
These are overwhelmingly the preserve of dependent and harmful drinkers: A recent analysis found that the level of high strength cider in these groups accounts of almost the whole market in Scotland (and there is little reason to suspect the rest of the country is much different).
Speaking after the Budget Fiona said:
"I am very pleased at the Chancellor's decision. According to Public Health England affordability is the key determining factor in how much people so making these damaging high strength alcoholic drinks more expensive, which will reduce the amount young people buy will not only reduce the health problems caused but also save lives."
The December 2016 Public Health England Report said:
"Policies that reduce the affordability of alcohol are the most effective, and cost-effective, approaches to prevention and health improvement."
The report can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/fi…
You can watch the speech here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05nvy41
You can read Fiona's last speech on this campaign here: https://goo.gl/aFmEkY