Donaldson to press on with booze plan.

Summary: The Chief Medical Officer says he will continue to push for a minimum price on alcohol despite Gordon Brown rejecting his proposals.

The Chief Medical Officer says he will continue to push for a minimum price on alcohol despite Gordon Brown rejecting his proposals.

Sir Liam Donaldson said the UK has a drinking problem - owing to the ready availability of cheap alcohol - and tough action is needed to tackle it.

Measures to control price and access need to be the backbone of any plan aimed at addressing the problem, he said.

Sir Liam said: "If a plan is not adopted we have to ask 'Where is Plan B or do we just simply want to tolerate this drink problem that this country has?"'

He recommended that a minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol is introduced to cut consumption and associated risks.

He said substantial effects would be seen immediately from this policy alone, including 3,393 fewer deaths each year, 97,900 fewer hospital admissions and 45,800 fewer crimes.

But the Prime Minister said there were no plans to penalise the majority of drinkers, who drink sensibly.

Mr Brown said: "We have taken action to tackle binge and under-age drinking and it's right that we do so. It's right for society to bear down on and deal with anti-social behaviour that's associated with drinking.

"But as we crack down on binge and under-age drinking it's also right that we do not want the responsible sensible majority of moderate drinkers to have to pay more or suffer as a result of the excesses of a small minority."

Mr Brown said that was the context in which the Government would study Sir Liam's report.

Drink-related illnesses cost the NHS Au3 billion a year, while the total expense to the taxpayer of alcohol misuse is thought to be Au25 billion a year.

But there is also furious opposition to the idea from those who argue that responsible drinkers would be punished for the misbehaviour of a few.

David Poley, the chief executive of the Portman Group, set up by drinks manufacturers to promote sensible drinking, said: "This would hit the pockets of hard-working families who are already struggling to make ends meet, and it would not deter those people who drink to get drunk."

And Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, which represents wine and spirits producers and wholesalers, said: "It is worrying that in the midst of a recession when sales and consumption of alcohol are falling that the Government should be talking about raising prices for all consumers at a time when many are already struggling to make ends meet."

Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

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