WIREDGOV

Responding to the recent announcement on minimum pricing for alcohol, Councillor Mehboob Khan, Chairman of the Local Government Association's Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said:

"Today's announcement of the long-overdue consultation on a minimum price for alcohol marks an important step forward in plans to tackle binge drinking in England. Local authorities, retailers, the police and the NHS are already working hard to address the damaging impacts of problem drinking and a minimum price could make a valuable contribution. However, a minimum price alone is not the solution.

"We would also like to see drinks manufacturers and retailers working more closely with the Government's new approach to alcohol by bringing an end to irresponsible special promotions and the sale of high strength, low price drinks. Careful consideration must be given to the effect of such measures on responsible drinkers and the night-time economy, but by working together with industry we can encourage a change in attitude towards alcohol and help improve public health across the country.

"Issues such as the number of pubs, bars and off-licences in certain areas and the impact of particular problem venues vary from one town to the next and cannot be dealt with through national policies on simply restricting the availability of cheap booze. To effectively tackle the health problems, violence, vandalism and general public nuisance caused by alcohol abuse we need to have the flexibility to address problems at a local level.

"Government needs to act quickly on its commitment to the local setting of licensing fees, enabling councils to enforce effective penalties on the few irresponsible clubs, pubs and off-licences that fail to protect the community from the impact of excessive drinking."

Author: LGA Media Office
Contact: Jacob Lant, Local Government Association Media team, Telephone: 020 7664 3333.