Cameron sets out minimum price for alcohol

Published: 23 March, 2012

The Prime Minister has announced plans to introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol and ban the sale of multi-buy discount deals in a bid to end Britain's binge-drinking culture.

David Cameron said he was making "no excuses" for clamping down on the problem and anticipates the move will not be "universally popular". "But the responsibility of being in government isn't always about doing the popular thing. It's about doing the right thing," he added.

The Government Alcohol Strategy: Choice, Challenge and Responsibility sets out a plan to reduce binge-drinking in order to drive down crime and tackle health issues which costs the UK £21 billion a year.

It includes an estimated 40p minimum unit price for alcohol and the banning of the sale of multi-buy discount deals.

The strategy also includes zero tolerance of drunken behaviour in A&E departments and a late night levy to get pubs and clubs to help pay for policing and improved powers to stop serving alcohol to drunks.

The aim is to help reverse a culture that led to almost one million alcohol-related violent crimes and 1.2 million alcohol-related hospital admissions last year alone.

The Prime Minister said: "Binge drinking isn't some fringe issue, it accounts for half of all alcohol consumed in this country.

"The crime and violence it causes drains resources in our hospitals, generates mayhem on our streets and spreads fear in our communities.

"My message is simple. We can't go on like this. We have to tackle the scourge of violence caused by binge drinking. And we have to do it now."

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