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Tories plan drink levy on shops Tories plan drink levy on shops
(20 minutes later)
The Conservatives would introduce a new charge on shops or supermarkets that sell alcohol after 10.30pm, the BBC understands.The Conservatives would introduce a new charge on shops or supermarkets that sell alcohol after 10.30pm, the BBC understands.
Shadow chancellor Chris Grayling told the Tory conference it was too easy 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 said "late night, problem premises" would have to pay more for their alcohol licence to fund policing.He said "late night, problem premises" would have to pay more for their alcohol licence to fund policing.
And he outlined proposals to ban cheap supermarket drink deals and raise the price of super-strength lager.And he outlined proposals to ban cheap supermarket drink deals and raise the price of super-strength lager.
Super strength alcohol
Mr Grayling used his speech to call for "radical reform in every part of the system" - "the police, the CPS, the courts, prisons, probation".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 alcohol
He told delegates that many city centres had become "battle zones" for police due to drink-fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour.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
  • Extending the power of councils to restrict pub and club opening hours.
  • 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.
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 and to give on-the-spot community punishments, such as repairing vandalism, without having to go to court.
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. He told the BBC: "Our youth justice system is reluctant to bring young people before the courts because it will tarnish them for life.
Mr Grayling also said a Tory government would get tougher "on those who spread a doctrine of hate in Britain". "What we want is to find a way to make sure society says: 'No, this can't be allowed to happen' but doesn't necessarily leave that young person with a criminal record that's going to last the rest of their lives."
'Extremely concerned'
For more serious crimes, Mr Grayling 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 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 told the BBC he was "extremely concerned" at its activities.
He also reiterated plans for a specialist UK border force and an annual cap on the number of economic migrants to Britain each year.