Regarding policy, my proposal would be to take it one stage further and apply a tax on beer and alchopops/premixed drinks sold from supermarkets (but not wine or spirits) and reduce the duty and tax for ALL alcohol sold in pubs. Let’s face it, if supermarkets can afford to discount it below cost, they can afford to deal with the dilemma of either paying the tax on behalf of their customers or passing it straight on to them.

There is a community benefit : pubs were historically a key component of our communities and our societal structure and also a refuge from the mother in law for some of us! I see nothing wrong with re-building our communities by helping pubs be successful again.
For an economic benefit, perhaps we can also stimulate our once envied brewing industry too. Imagine having a choice of locals again (many people do not) that served a variety of local brews and how that could help rural and urban communities…….we might even see hops growing in Kent again too!