John
08-12-2010, 09:01 AM
David Cameron has indicated he will support councils that want to ban shops and bars from selling cheap alcohol.
The Prime Minister said plans to introduce a minimum price per unit of 50p in Greater Manchester would be looked at "very sympathetically".
Ten local authorities in the area want to pass bylaws to address public disorder and health issues caused by binge-drinking.
The approach has the backing of doctors and health experts but ministers have previously been lukewarm to the idea.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Mr Cameron made clear that he did not want to introduce a national minimum price for alcohol.
But he said: "I think the idea of the councils coming together on this is a good one and we will certainly look at it very sympathetically."
He went on: "I think if what you're trying to do is stop supermarkets from selling 20 tins of Stella for a fiver that's what we've got to go after.
"Where I want to try and help is ending the deep discounting on alcohol.
"People going and 'pre-loading', having bought from a supermarket where they were attracted by a price designed to bring them into the store."
Mr Cameron said a local bylaw could fall foul of competition rules as it would mean alcohol in Greater Manchester being priced higher than neighbouring areas.
Any bylaws imposed by local authorities would need to be signed off by the Home Secretary, he added.
The House of Commons Health Select Committee and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) have both voiced strong support for minimum pricing.
However, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley expressed doubt on the grounds that it punishes low-income families.
Source - Yahoo News.
The Prime Minister said plans to introduce a minimum price per unit of 50p in Greater Manchester would be looked at "very sympathetically".
Ten local authorities in the area want to pass bylaws to address public disorder and health issues caused by binge-drinking.
The approach has the backing of doctors and health experts but ministers have previously been lukewarm to the idea.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Mr Cameron made clear that he did not want to introduce a national minimum price for alcohol.
But he said: "I think the idea of the councils coming together on this is a good one and we will certainly look at it very sympathetically."
He went on: "I think if what you're trying to do is stop supermarkets from selling 20 tins of Stella for a fiver that's what we've got to go after.
"Where I want to try and help is ending the deep discounting on alcohol.
"People going and 'pre-loading', having bought from a supermarket where they were attracted by a price designed to bring them into the store."
Mr Cameron said a local bylaw could fall foul of competition rules as it would mean alcohol in Greater Manchester being priced higher than neighbouring areas.
Any bylaws imposed by local authorities would need to be signed off by the Home Secretary, he added.
The House of Commons Health Select Committee and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) have both voiced strong support for minimum pricing.
However, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley expressed doubt on the grounds that it punishes low-income families.
Source - Yahoo News.