LONDON, March 5 (UPI) -- British lawmakers are poised to approve an increase in liquor taxes following a review of the country's licensing laws by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Government ministers said drink prices in Britain are too low so in addition to raising taxes they plan to ban supermarkets from promotions that lower the price of alcohol, The Telegraph reported Wednesday.
British Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said in general that ministers are happy with the country's 24-hour licensing laws.
However, opposition politicians and medical experts accuse the government of being in denial over the scope of the country's alcohol problem.
The Home Office has reported a 25 percent increase in serious violence crimes in Britain between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.
"Ministers told us the act would reduce drunken disorder, binge drinking and under-age drinking," says Liberal Democrat spokesman Don Foster. "In reality, we've seen a rise in violence crimes late at night, too many licensed premises still selling to children and soaring alcohol-related (accident and emergency) admissions."
