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Alcohol plans set to be unveiled Alcohol plans set to be unveiled
(about 4 hours later)
Plans to set minimum prices for alcohol are expected to be unveiled by the government's top medical adviser.Plans to set minimum prices for alcohol are expected to be unveiled by the government's top medical adviser.
Chief Medical Officer for England, Sir Liam Donaldson, will publish his annual report on Monday morning.Chief Medical Officer for England, Sir Liam Donaldson, will publish his annual report on Monday morning.
It has been widely reported he will call for minimum prices based on the units of alcohol drinks contain.It has been widely reported he will call for minimum prices based on the units of alcohol drinks contain.
Cabinet minister Douglas Alexander said the government would consider Sir Liam's proposals which are aimed at tackling alcohol misuse. But so far the plans have not attracted the support of ministers who say they have no intention of punishing the "responsible majority".
It would mean most bottles of wine could not be sold for less than £4.50. Sir Liam's proposals could mean most bottles of wine could not be sold for less than £4.50.
Mixed receptionMixed reception
The Department of Health said it had not ruled out taking action on very cheap alcohol.The Department of Health said it had not ruled out taking action on very cheap alcohol.
The Conservatives say it is important deal with people's attitudes to drinking, not just supply and price, while the Liberal Democrats support putting an end to "pocket-money priced" alcohol. But the work and pensions minister James Purnell told the BBC on Sunday that the government was unwilling to raise the price of drink during a recession.
He said: "We need to look at the proposals, but we're saying we have no intention of going ahead with something that would punish the responsible majority."
The Conservatives say it is important to deal with people's attitudes to drinking, not just supply and price, while the Liberal Democrats support putting an end to "pocket-money priced" alcohol.
Sir Liam's idea has the backing of Alcohol Concern, but the drinks industry's Portman Group believes it would have a marginal effect on harmful drinkers.Sir Liam's idea has the backing of Alcohol Concern, but the drinks industry's Portman Group believes it would have a marginal effect on harmful drinkers.
The NHS bill for alcohol abuse is an estimated £2.7bn a year.The NHS bill for alcohol abuse is an estimated £2.7bn a year.
The most recent figures show hospital admissions linked to alcohol use have more than doubled in England since 1995.The most recent figures show hospital admissions linked to alcohol use have more than doubled in England since 1995.