This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8294554.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Tories outline alcohol crackdown Tories plan drink levy on shops
(10 minutes later)
The Tories are outlining plans to ban cheap supermarket drink deals and raise the price of super-strength lager, if they win the next election. The Conservatives would introduce a new charge on shops or supermarkets that sell alcohol after 10.30pm, the BBC understands.
Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling told the party's conference it was too easy for teenagers to get "very drunk quickly and cheaply". Shadow chancellor Chris Grayling told the Tory conference it was too easy to get "very drunk quickly and cheaply".
He also said councils would be given new powers to restrict pub and club opening hours. He said "late night, problem premises" would have to pay more for their alcohol licence to fund policing.
Penalties would also be increased for premises who sell to underage drinkers. And he outlined proposals to ban cheap supermarket drink deals and raise the price of super-strength lager.
Mr Grayling used his speech to call for "radical reform in every part of the system" - "the police, the CPS, the courts, prisons, probation".
Super strength alcoholSuper strength alcohol
Mr Grayling told delegates that many city centres had become "battle zones" for police due to drink-fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour. Mr Grayling used his speech to call for "radical reform in every part of the system" - "the police, the CPS, the courts, prisons, probation".
He told delegates that many city centres had become "battle zones" for police due to drink-fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour.
"No one thinks that the government's 24-hour drinking regime has led to the creation of a 'continental café culture'," he said."No one thinks that the government's 24-hour drinking regime has led to the creation of a 'continental café culture'," he said.
"We're not talking about stopping people enjoying a few drinks in the pub. But things have gone far too far.""We're not talking about stopping people enjoying a few drinks in the pub. But things have gone far too far."
Plans announced included:Plans announced included:
  • Raising the price of a four-pack of super strength lager by £1.33 and more than double the tax on super strength cider
  • Increasing the price of large bottles of "alco-pops" by £1.50
  • Banning supermarkets from selling alcohol at below cost price
  • Introducing bigger fines for those caught selling to children. Repeat offenders could have their premises closed for several days.
  • Making "late night, problem premises" pay more for their alcohol licences to help cover the cost of policing
  • Raising the price of a four-pack of super strength lager by £1.33 and more than double the tax on super strength cider
  • Increasing the price of large bottles of "alco-pops" by £1.50
  • Banning supermarkets from selling alcohol at below cost price
  • Introducing bigger fines for those caught selling to children. Repeat offenders could have their premises closed for several days
  • Extending the power of councils to restrict pub and club opening hours.
'Caution culture'
As well outlining measures on alcohol, Mr Grayling said the Tories were working on "a range of instant punishments for anti-social behaviour".As well outlining measures on alcohol, Mr Grayling said the Tories were working on "a range of instant punishments for anti-social behaviour".
These included the power for police to "ground" young offenders for up to a month.These included the power for police to "ground" young offenders for up to a month.
He also said the party would end "Britain's caution culture" by giving police more powers to bring prosecutions themselves rather than waiting for CPS permission. He said the party would end "Britain's caution culture" by giving police more powers to bring prosecutions themselves rather than waiting for CPS permission.
Mr Grayling also said a Tory government would get tougher "on those who spread a doctrine of hate in Britain".Mr Grayling also said a Tory government would get tougher "on those who spread a doctrine of hate in Britain".
He pledged to immediately ban Islamist organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir - a move first suggested by Tony Blair after the 2005 London bombings, but later dropped.He pledged to immediately ban Islamist organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir - a move first suggested by Tony Blair after the 2005 London bombings, but later dropped.
The group denies links to terrorism and says it opposes violence, but does campaign for an Islamic state across the Middle East.The group denies links to terrorism and says it opposes violence, but does campaign for an Islamic state across the Middle East.
Mr Grayling also reiterated plans for a specialist UK border force and an annual cap on the number of economic migrants to Britain each year.Mr Grayling also reiterated plans for a specialist UK border force and an annual cap on the number of economic migrants to Britain each year.