Mandleson to postpone the mandatory code

Published: 17 September, 2009

Lord Mandelson wants to delay introduction of the "mandatory code on alcohol," until April 2011 due to the economic downturn.

Lord Mandelson wants to delay introduction of the "mandatory code on alcohol," until April 2011, due to the economic downturn.

Drinks industry bodies have welcomed the report that was printed in the Times on September 17, that states the Business Secretary singled out the "mandatory code on alcohol" as a "particular candidate for delay."

In a letter sent to members of the Sub Committee on Better Regulation of the National Economic Council including Ms Harman and Alistair Darling, he is reported to have said : "I support the approach that where measures appear without a planned implementation date ? and on the assumption they are not planned for the near future ? we commit to not imposing these measures until after April 2011."

"Delay would be good news for the trade. Abandonment would be better," said Gavin Partington spokesman for the WSTA.

"We've always been clear that now is not the time to be adding another raft of rules and regulations particularly when police and enforcement agencies have made clear during consultation that they believe they already have the powers they need to clampdown on irresponsible promotions and anti-social behaviour."

The code promised by Gordon Brown five months ago, was to to tackle binge drinking in pubs and clubs by clamping down on low-cost alcohol promotions such as 'drink all you can for a fiver'.

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