02 February 2012
Churches and Charities urge PM to take strong action on alcohol pricing
A coalition of national Churches and charities has written to
the Prime Minister asking him to introduce a minimum unit price on
all alcohol sold in Britain when the Government's alcohol strategy
is announced later this month.
David Cameron has indicated that he may be willing to introduce a
minimum price of 40 - 50 pence per unit on alcohol, but the group
is worried that these plans may be dropped under pressure from the
drinks industry.
The group is also encouraging individuals to write to their MPs,
highlighting the problems caused by cheap alcohol in their local
area and asking them to support per unit minimum pricing. A range
of resources for the 'Measure for Measure' campaign are available
online
here.
A survey conducted in December last year revealed that 61% of UK
adults believe that excessive drinking is a problem (from minor to
major) in their neighbourhood. The survey commissioned by the
Methodist Church, United Reformed Church and Baptist Union of Great
Britain asked people to judge the effects of alcohol on the area
within walking distance from their home, or where they use local
facilities. More information can be found
here.
The full text of the letter follows:
Dear Prime Minister,
We write to you as a coalition of Churches, charities and
Christian volunteer groups with long-running experience in the
field of alcohol policy, and in helping individuals and communities
harmed by alcohol misuse.
We welcome recent indications that, in recognition of the danger
posed by cheap alcohol, the Government is seriously considering the
introduction of a per unit minimum price. We believe that action on
pricing must form the central element in the Alcohol Strategy which
your Government is due to publish in February. There are various
factors involved in problem drinking, but numerous studies have
shown that price is the key determinant. Unless you include strong
action on per unit pricing, other measures such as a ban on
below-cost sales, a special tax on strong beers or a voluntary code
for advertising are likely to be inadequate.
We recognise that there may be complex legal issues involving
competition law. But current levels of ill health and public
disorder associated with problem drinking mean that these issues
must be addressed. In 2011, leading medical experts including Sir
Ian Gilmore (Chairman of the UK Alcohol Health Alliance) and Andrew
Langford (Chief Executive at the British Liver Trust), predicted
that unless strong action is taken 250,000 lives could be lost over
the next 20 years. They specifically advocate introducing a minimum
unit price of 50p and implementing stricter controls on
advertising. Alcohol misuse costs the UK an estimated £25 billion
per year in public spending, without even considering the serious
(but harder to measure) effects on people's wellbeing, including
their mental health, family and social relationships and
careers.
A YouGov poll commissioned by the Methodist Church and its
partners in November 2011 found that 61% of UK adults felt that
excessive drinking was a problem in their neighbourhood. We have
seen the effects of cheap, strong drink on our streets, in our
hospitals and police stations. It is in local communities that the
damage caused by alcohol misuse is felt most deeply, particularly
disadvantaged communities, which continue to suffer
disproportionately from alcohol-related harms.
Furthermore, it is estimated that between 1.3 and 2.6 million
children are affected by parental problem drinking. Neglect is a
particular concern and these children are more vulnerable to
developing other problems, including substance misuse. A joined-up
national solution for these issues is clearly in the UK's best
interests as a whole.
Some are concerned that per unit minimum pricing would penalise
responsible drinkers. But research by the University of Sheffield
found that a minimum price of between 40p and 50p per unit would
save thousands of lives at the cost of only a few extra pence per
week to the average drinker.
Legislation containing provisions for per unit minimum pricing
will soon be considered by the Scottish Parliament. Northern
Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are developing a cross-border
alcohol strategy and working towards the possibility of agreeing a
minimum price by December 2012. We are very encouraged by reports
that you have taken a lead on per unit minimum pricing, as this is
central to ensuring the success of the Alcohol Strategy. This is an
opportunity for the Government to make a real difference to
communities and vulnerable people across the UK.
Yours sincerely,
Revd Lionel E. Osborn President of the Methodist Conference,
Methodist Church in Britain
Mr Paul Blakey MBE Founder of Street Angels, CNI Network
Helena Chambers, Director, Quaker Action on Alcohol and
Drugs
Revd Jonathan Edwards General Secretary, Baptist Union of Great
Britain
Philip Fletcher Chair, Mission & Public Affairs, Church of
England
Dr Dave Landrum Director of Advocacy, Evangelical Alliance
Adam May Director of Development, Street Angels, CNI Network
Revd Dr Kirsty Thorpe Moderator of the General Assembly, United
Reformed Church
Helen Donohoe Director of Public Policy, Action for
Children