You think YOUR lot are bad?

By: Olly Wehring - 17 March 2006 15:20

The UK Government has taken quite a beating this week over its handling of the changes to the country’s licensing laws. The revisions, introduced late last year, led finally to a farewell to the UK’s antiquated drinking times (to quote a US tourist – “Is the war still on?”).

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport this week came under fire from a committee of MPs for its “reprehensible” handling of the new regime. The department was accused of letting down licencees for its lack of preparation and poor level of support.

Spare a thought, however, for alcoholic drinks companies importing into Russia, who appear to be at the end of even worse government mishandling. In January, the government introduced new legislation requiring all imported alcohol be sold with new excise duty stamps. Bottles with the old duty stamps are permitted until 1 April, and must be sold by 1 July.

The importers haven’t received the new stamps yet. Today is 17 March.