Prime Minister David Cameron gives appears in front of a Liaison Committee at the House of Commons, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday March 12, 2013. See PA story POLITICS Cameron. Photo credit should read: PA/PA Wire
Poll: Tell us what you think? Is it time to abandon plans for minimum pricing of alcohol?
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
10:25 AM
Doctors’ leaders have urged David Cameron to end “damaging” speculation that the Government is poised to abandon plans for the minimum pricing of alcohol.
The British Medical Association (BMA) urged the Prime Minister to “be courageous” and take a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save lives, save the country money”.
A consultation document last year floated a base price of 45p per unit in England and Wales and the Government has yet to release its conclusions.
Mr Cameron had thrown his weight behind the policy but a number of Cabinet ministers, including Home Secretary Theresa May, have made clear they harbour doubts.
Speculation has been growing for some weeks that the proposals will be shelved amid criticism that it will unfairly punish responsible drinkers on low incomes.
Dr Vivienne Nathanson, director of professional activities at the BMA, said the impact on them would be a “tiny amount” of 30p-40p per week that would be outweighed by the benefits.
Asked what the BMA’s message would be to the Prime Minister, she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Be courageous: this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save lives, to save the country money. Both of those are very good deals for him.
“And it will get him the thanks of an awful lot of people. Not just doctors and nurses but also the families of problem drinkers who desperately want the Government to do something to help them help the people they love to kick the habit and to save their lives.”
She went on: “We really do need to know. All the plans are based on the fact that we are going to have the minimum pricing so that we can do something.
“It is damaging because none of us know where we are going next, what it is we are going to have the opportunity to do to make a difference.
“Having nailed his colours very firmly to the mast and said this is something the Prime Minister wants to do because he recognises the tragedy that alcohol is causing in our society, it would be bizarre for him to let it wither.”
The renewed speculation that the proposals could be dropped sparked dismay among some Tory backbenchers last night.
Totnes MP Sarah Wollaston - a former GP - wrote: “Very concerned about suggestion that minimum pricing to be dropped from alcohol strategy.”
Leave your views on this issue in the comments section below.
See tomorrow’s paper for a special report into the issue.
Other Health Articles
- North Walsham head returns to school after cancer battle
- Norwich walk-in health centre at risk of closure
- Gorleston’s £7m “super care home” leading the way for elderly care
- Dementia beds set to be axed in Carlton Colville as part of mental health shake-up for Waveney and Great Yarmouth area
- Norwich mum backs petition to limit sexual images
- Norfolk community health trust hires former ambulance chief
- East of England Ambulance Service appoints new chairman
- Watchdog to keep a close eye on health services in Norfolk
- Medal winning cyclist launches charity ride for Norfolk hospital appeal
- Photo gallery: Thousands pull together to fight cancer at Race for Life
- Did saving a West Brom fan’s life save Norwich City’s season?
- Dereham pupil diagnosed with meningitis
- Dakar Rally success for wounded ex-soldiers inspires Norfolk conference on post-combat care
- Health centre work starts at Reydon
- Health services in Lowestoft could face a major overhaul
Most Read News Stories See all
Terror returns to Britain after man butchered in London street
Terrorism returned to the streets of London today as two suspected Muslim fanatics butchered a man in broad daylight in the name of “Allah”.
- Police launch probe after motorist tweets she knocked cyclist off bike in Norwich
- Fakenham Gateway Children’s Centre closes suddenly
- Police appeal for help to find missing Norwich woman
- Three arrests after brawl at Sikh temple in Norwich
- Picture update: Overstrand man jailed for one of largest hauls of indecent child images in Norfolk. Offences committed in North Walsham area
ADVERTISEMENT
7 comments
DaveCam makes more catchy populist promises than anyone can possibly hope to keep track of or for that matter than his government could possily hope to enact, so who cares. These clowns are never held to account for not keeping promises. So far we've had almost 3 years of every pre-election promise either forgotten or broken, and in their place a load of new gimmicks (gay marriage etc). Today's promises will be forgotten soon enough because we will be too engrossed by the next ones. The aim is to generate a constant stream of popular 'feel good' rather than actually addressing issues, especially if the issues are benefitting vested interests, as other commenters have noted.
Report this comment
Police Commissioner ???
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
The price of a pint down the local pub, if it is still there, will be considerably more than 45p per unit. A decent bottle of wine costs far more than 45p a unit.
Report this comment
Capri
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
My only pleasure in life is a glass of red on a Friday night after a week at work and for 99% of people it's the same - so why should we suffer more price rises along with recent petrol, gas, electricity, car tax, water etc rises? Those that abuse alcohol have a problem much deeper than a price hike will fix - we need education and support for those affected.
Report this comment
sprowstongal
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Should there be consideration that such a measure would contribute to the rate of inflation? Throw in the VAT content of higher prices and more tax revenue on the profits generated - adds up to a nice little 'mini-budget' really ........
Report this comment
F G HOB
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
What matters is not the health of the public, but the health of the treasury coffers and Osborne's fellow millionaires sitting on the victuallers Association. Hence the lobbying by those who also carry on lobbying for tobacco companies.
Report this comment
ingo wagenknecht
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Don't enforce a collective punishment because of the few. Target the few.
Report this comment
country bumkin
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
If someone wants to drink let them, if they die because of it, then so be it. Not everyone wants to live like a saint, or be treated like a child. If you are at a legal age to do so and you wish to drink too much, smoke too much or eat too much then its your choice to make.
Report this comment
ggj666
Wednesday, March 13, 2013