Minimum Alcohol Pricing: Anger Over U-Turn

The Government is planning to ditch proposals for a minimum price on alcohol in another U-turn by David Cameron, according to Sky sources.

The Prime Minister has personally backed the move for a base price in England and Wales, which experts argue would save lives and cut crime.

But it has been blocked by senior Tories, with opponents said to include Home Secretary Theresa May who has been at the centre of recent leadership rumours.

Education Secretary Michael Gove and Commons leader Andrew Lansley have also signalled their doubts about the proposal.

There were believed to be concerned about hitting responsible drinkers already struggling as the cost-of-living rises, as well as potentially breaking EU laws.

Senior Tory backbencher David Davis said he would welcome the abandonment of what he called a "blunderbuss of a policy" doomed to failure.

"It will hit poor people, it will hit people in the north, it will hit the pensioner having their one bottle of wine a week, it'll hit the hard-up couple doing the same," he said.

"It will transfer £1bn from the public to the people who sell alcohol and it's not going to work."

Theresa May (right) was among senior Tories to disagree with David Cameron

But other Tories who support the change expressed their dismay at the U-turn, which follows a 10-week consultation.

Totnes MP Sarah Wollaston - a former GP - told Sky News: "We know that when alcohol is too cheap, people die. That is the bottom line. This is about saving lives."

She suggested the plans could go through, with a sunset clause so that the impact could be judged after three years.

Her Tory colleague Tracey Crouch added that the base price would not hit responsible drinkers, who would still be able to buy a bottle of wine for £5.

She said: "We know that the Prime Minister is personally quite committed to this policy so I think we need to continue to press our case."

Campaigners also warned that a change of heart would be a mistake and urged the Government not to give into pressure from the drinks industry.

Eric Appleby, from Alcohol Concern, said: "All the evidence shows it will save lives and reduce crime - and we mustn't allow the interests of big business to derail this important policy."

Professor Sir Ian Gilmore from Alcohol Health Alliance UK added: "We are seeing admissions to hospital rising, we are seeing deaths rising every year. If the Government caves in to pressure from the global drinks industry it will be a disaster.

"At the moment, the UK is being praised around the world for taking tough action and to see a U-turn would be very sad indeed for everyone."

But Miles Beale, the chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, said consumers would welcome the move.

"Minimum unit pricing would penalise responsible drinkers and treat everyone who is looking for value in their shopping as a binge-drinker," he said. "Evidence has also shown it will do little to tackle problem drinking."

Labour accused Mr Cameron of "weak leadership and weak government", calling the U-turn a "humiliating climbdown".

Shadow home office minister Diana Johnson said: "The Home Secretary and the Prime Minister said this measure would cut crime and prevent alcohol abuse. What's changed?"

Introducing a 45p base price per unit would mean a can of strong lager could not be sold for under £1.56 and a bottle of wine for under £4.22.

Last year, ministers claimed the change would cut the number of crimes by 5,000, slash hospital admissions by 24,000 and lead to 700 fewer alcohol-linked deaths annually.

The Home Office said consultation on the plans had ended on February 6 and that it would "listen to all views" before setting out a response.

Scotland is already set to introduce a 50p minimum price but is facing legal challenges due to claims the price floor could breach EU free trade rules.

Northern Ireland is still examining the issue.

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