Wirral Council asking for views on minimum price for alcohol plan

Sep 15 2010 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

WIRRAL Council is asking for views on plans to introduce a minimum price for alcohol.

A report to councillors at Monday’s Licensing, health and Safety and General Purposes Committee said there was a “growing consensus” in the North West across local government, public health, policing, community safety, and politicians for the need for a minimum price per unit.

The recommendation is a minimum of 50p per unit of alcohol.

The report said: “This has grown on the back of very serious costs to communities and public services from alcohol harm.

“A minimum price per unit of 50p or more would reduce consumption of very cheap alcohol amongst “problem” and younger drinkers and thereby reduce the impact of alcohol harm on moderate drinkers, poorer communities, public services and a hard-pressed community pub trade.”

Committee member Bill Davies said he was shocked at figures showing 141 people in Wirral died from alcohol attributable conditions in 2007.

Researchers estimated that a 50p minimum price could have prevented 39 of those, although it could take ten years for the full effect to be seen.

Cllr Davies said: “The report we have in front of us says that, in a nutshell, cheap alcohol is killing people and undermining our way of life.

“At first I thought ‘what about poorer people who have just a couple of drinks a week’ but this report brings it home to me about the problem we have.”

Committee chair Cllr Sue Taylor said: “It’s a huge concern and it does have a knock-on effect with anti-social behaviour.

“We’re not trying to penalise the average man in the street who likes a pint of a glass of wine.

“I think it’s time to take the lead and do something positive.”

The committee agreed to seek views on the introduction of minimum pricing of alcohol from the public, organisations supporting individuals with alcohol addiction and community groups.

The results will be brought to the next meeting.

Views can be sent to licensing@wirral.gov.uk or in writing to the Town Hall, Brighton Street, Wallasey CH44 8ED.