Alistair Darling’s 9.1 per cent rise in alcohol taxes will not succeed in tackling Britain’s binge drinking culture unless the government also stops heavy price discounting by supermarkets, health groups and brewers warned on Wednesday.

The chancellor surprised the alcohol industry with his decision to raise taxes on beer, wine, cider and spirits by 6 per cent above the rate of inflation. From Sunday this will add 4p to a pint of beer, 3p to a litre of cider, 14p to a bottle of wine, and 55p to a bottle of whisky. This will be followed by further annual increases of 2 per cent above inflation for the next four years.