Welcome Change in Cider Tax

The Government's U turn in reducing cider duty from 10% to 2% over the rate of inflation has been welcomed by Richard Younger-Ross, calling it a victory for common sense.

However he warned, "action is needed to deal with very cheap ciders which are largely sugar based alcohol rather than apple and sold through supermarkets. A minimum price would deal with that issue".

Mr Younger-Ross today paid a visit to the Cider Bar in Newton Abbot, only one of four left in the country, to discuss this latest announcement with landlord Richard Knibbs.

Said Mr Knibbs, "if the Government had thought properly and just hammered the white ciders that had never seen a cider apple there wouldn't have been so much protest. It would have got rid of the imitation ciders that are behind some of the anti social behaviour, and the cider makers would've rejoiced in it."

Mr Younger-Ross added, "The Government's hike in cider tax could have put local industries at serious risk. The Lib Dems repeatedly opposed these proposals in Parliament and the Government have clearly bowed to this and to the weight of public opinion."