PM supports minimum price on alcohol

By Freddie Dawson

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Beer

The government is soon to launch its alcohol strategy
The government is soon to launch its alcohol strategy
Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged his support for a minimum alcohol price.

During a visit to a hospital in the northeast of England this week, Cameron said that alcohol abuse cost society £17-22bn each year. That included £2.7bn spent by the NHS on alcohol-related illnesses.

Scotland has already introduced an Alcohol Bill that aims to provide a minimum price per unit but ministers have yet to agree a precise figure.

A ban on the sale of alcohol by retailers at a price less than the tax paid on it will be introduced in England and Wales from April 6, 2012.

Alcohol strategy

A government alcohol strategy, developed after nearly a year of consultation with the drinks industry, will soon be published.

Meanwhile, Cheshire brewer, Frederic Robinsons said it will not raise prices beyond duty increases on most beers sold to tenanted pubs throughout the year.

Although increases in energy, malt and hops have led to higher input prices, a £5M investment in a new brew house has allowed the firm to save money.

The investment has made the site 70% more energy efficient, said director William Robinson.

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