PM Rejects Calls To Impose Minimum Alcohol Price

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has rejected plans to impose a minimum price for alcohol that could see the price of beers and spirits double.

Sir Liam Donaldson, the Chief Medical Officer for England, today made the proposals which, if implemented, would see a can of beer costing at least £1 and a bottle of wine a minimum of £4.

The proposals for England and Wales, which are backed by health professionals could double the cost of some beverages sold as "loss leaders" by supermarkets.

It would double the cost of a £10 pack of lager, nearly double the cost of a bottle of vodka to £20 and set the minimum price for a bottle of wine at £4.50.

Thee proposals have been opposed by drink manufacturers

However, the PM confirmed this morning he would not be backing these plans, and would protect the interests of the "sensible majority of moderate drinkers".

Speaking at a press conference at Downing Street, Mr Brown said: "We don't want the responsible, sensible majority of moderate drinkers to have to pay more or suffer as a result of the excesses of a minority."

He added: "It's right for society to bear down on, and deal with, anti-social behaviour that's associated with drinking."

Tory MP Nigel Evans, vice-chairman of the Commons All-Party Beer Group, said: "We all want to tackle binge-drinking and drinking to excess but minimum pricing is not the way to go.

"Punishing the everyday person in the street for the behaviour of a minority is simply not acceptable."

However, Sir Liam disagreed with Gordon Brown's claims that heavy drinkers were a minority.

"I think these strong actions in public health are always controversial," he said.

"The report has only just come out, and it needs to be debated and considered."

He also said the evidence had shown that price and access were key determinants of drinking habits.

He said: "Any plan to combat a problem needs a backbone. Price and access are that backbone - I will continue to champion it.

"This is a key measure which would almost certainly make a major impact on our drink problem as a country."

Sir Liam also unveiled a series of proposals aimed at improving the general health of the nation.

These include improving the treatment for prostate cancer, by publicising the symptoms and introducing pre-test counselling for a rapidly growing form of the disease.

He also called for hospitals and hospices to improve their management of people by implementing a "pain" score, as well as public education campaigns about responsible use of antibiotics to be raised in profile, in line with practice in some other European countries.

(JM/BMcC)