Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the Institute of Fiscal Studies' recent argument in favour of "reforming cider duties so that they are no longer extremely low for strong products", set out in the <i>IFS Green Budget: February 2016</i>, what action HM Treasury intends to take on strong, cheap cider.

The government amended the definition of cider, reducing the scope to products with a minimum of 35% apple or pear juice, to tackle the cheapest ciders. The government has since created 20 Local Alcohol Action Areas with the aim of reducing alcohol health and crime harms by encouraging partnerships between industry, local agencies and the voluntary sector.

The government is also helping tackle irresponsible alcohol consumption. For example, Local Councils have been given the ability to collect a Late Night Levy from alcohol retailers to contribute towards the cost of policing.