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05/04/2005
Minimum drinks prices suggested in MPs report
Minimum prices for alcohol should be introduced in order to tackle anti-social behaviour caused by binge drinking, an MPs report has said.
The report into anti-social behaviour, published by the home affairs select committee, also called for a clampdown on cheap drinks promotions and said that pubs and clubs should contribute towards funding policing to tackle alcohol-fuelled public disorder.
However, the report concluded that there was no "clear-cut" evidence to suggest that the introduction of laws legalising 24-hour drinking would have any effect on the current situation
Committee chairman John Denham said that the underlying problem was "too many people drinking heavily in small geographical areas". The report said that solutions such as staggering venue closing times might help reduce some problems, but may cause other problems for police, such as anticipating when and where officers needed to be deployed.
Mr Denham said that longer-term policy needed to concentrate on "proper city planning with diverse activities supported by adequate transport and other facilities".
Mark Hastings. Director of Communications of the British Beer and Pub Association said any venues introducing minimum prices for alcohol would be "breaking the law". He said: "The Office of Fair Trading has consistently stated that price fixing or minimum pricing is prohibited under UK and European Law."
Mr Hastings also criticised the suggestion that pubs and clubs should make a financial contribution towards paying for policing. He said: "The industry already pays more than £22 billion in taxes every year, twice the annual police budget. Added to this is the investment of over £60 million per annum in CCTV, door staff and security, plus business rates paid to local authorities. This is a sector that already invests heavily in community safety and corporate responsibility."
"As an industry we have already banned dodgy promotions, such as entry fees linked to unlimited free drinks, drinking games and reward schemes redeemable over short periods."
Mr Hastings concluded: "We continue to encourage the police to use the powers already available to close down pubs fuelling anti-social behaviour. Irresponsible promotions and bad publicans have no place in our sector."
(KmcA)
The report into anti-social behaviour, published by the home affairs select committee, also called for a clampdown on cheap drinks promotions and said that pubs and clubs should contribute towards funding policing to tackle alcohol-fuelled public disorder.
However, the report concluded that there was no "clear-cut" evidence to suggest that the introduction of laws legalising 24-hour drinking would have any effect on the current situation
Committee chairman John Denham said that the underlying problem was "too many people drinking heavily in small geographical areas". The report said that solutions such as staggering venue closing times might help reduce some problems, but may cause other problems for police, such as anticipating when and where officers needed to be deployed.
Mr Denham said that longer-term policy needed to concentrate on "proper city planning with diverse activities supported by adequate transport and other facilities".
Mark Hastings. Director of Communications of the British Beer and Pub Association said any venues introducing minimum prices for alcohol would be "breaking the law". He said: "The Office of Fair Trading has consistently stated that price fixing or minimum pricing is prohibited under UK and European Law."
Mr Hastings also criticised the suggestion that pubs and clubs should make a financial contribution towards paying for policing. He said: "The industry already pays more than £22 billion in taxes every year, twice the annual police budget. Added to this is the investment of over £60 million per annum in CCTV, door staff and security, plus business rates paid to local authorities. This is a sector that already invests heavily in community safety and corporate responsibility."
"As an industry we have already banned dodgy promotions, such as entry fees linked to unlimited free drinks, drinking games and reward schemes redeemable over short periods."
Mr Hastings concluded: "We continue to encourage the police to use the powers already available to close down pubs fuelling anti-social behaviour. Irresponsible promotions and bad publicans have no place in our sector."
(KmcA)
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19 January 2010
Govt Steps Up Anti-Binge Drinking Campaign
The UK Government has announced its latest steps to curb binge-drinking. Plans unveiled by authorities could see an end to generous drinks promotions and a tightening of identity checks. Pubs and clubs in England and Wales could face bans on "all-you-can-drink" offers and speed-drinking competitions.
Govt Steps Up Anti-Binge Drinking Campaign
The UK Government has announced its latest steps to curb binge-drinking. Plans unveiled by authorities could see an end to generous drinks promotions and a tightening of identity checks. Pubs and clubs in England and Wales could face bans on "all-you-can-drink" offers and speed-drinking competitions.
29 January 2013
Report Urges Government To Tax Sugary Drinks
A new report has recommend the government establish a new tax on sugary drinks, with the proceeds going towards child health. A duty on sugary drinks could raise £1bn a year, which could be used to pay for free school meals and measures to encourage children to eat fruit and vegetables, the report, by food and farming charity Sustain, has said.
Report Urges Government To Tax Sugary Drinks
A new report has recommend the government establish a new tax on sugary drinks, with the proceeds going towards child health. A duty on sugary drinks could raise £1bn a year, which could be used to pay for free school meals and measures to encourage children to eat fruit and vegetables, the report, by food and farming charity Sustain, has said.
06 December 2011
Designated Drivers Get 'Soft Boost'
Designated car drivers will be rewarded with free soft drinks in more than 8,000 pubs and student union bars across the country as part of the THINK! Christmas drink drive campaign, launched today by Road Safety Minister Mike Penning.
Designated Drivers Get 'Soft Boost'
Designated car drivers will be rewarded with free soft drinks in more than 8,000 pubs and student union bars across the country as part of the THINK! Christmas drink drive campaign, launched today by Road Safety Minister Mike Penning.
01 December 2010
Designated Drivers 'Go Pop'
Designated drivers will be rewarded with soft drinks popping open in thousands of pubs across the UK and the Irish Republic as part of the THINK! Christmas drink drive campaign, launched today by Road Safety Minister Mike Penning.
Designated Drivers 'Go Pop'
Designated drivers will be rewarded with soft drinks popping open in thousands of pubs across the UK and the Irish Republic as part of the THINK! Christmas drink drive campaign, launched today by Road Safety Minister Mike Penning.
19 November 2010
Reduce The VAT On Alcohol Sold In Pubs, Says Expert
Alcoholic drinks served in pubs should be taxed at a lower level than drinks bought from shops, says an expert in this week’s British Medical Journal (BMJ). This action would deliver the health benefits associated with introducing a minimum price on alcohol, increase tax revenue for the Treasury and save pubs says Dr Nick Sheron.
Reduce The VAT On Alcohol Sold In Pubs, Says Expert
Alcoholic drinks served in pubs should be taxed at a lower level than drinks bought from shops, says an expert in this week’s British Medical Journal (BMJ). This action would deliver the health benefits associated with introducing a minimum price on alcohol, increase tax revenue for the Treasury and save pubs says Dr Nick Sheron.
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