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Alcohol plans set to be unveiled Alcohol plans set to be unveiled
(10 minutes 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.
But so far the plans have not attracted the support of ministers who say they have no intention of punishing the "responsible majority". But Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that he did not want to impose additional burdens on "moderate" drinkers.
Cheap alcohol is killing us as never before Sir Liam DonaldsonChief Medical Officer for England Sir Liam's report said a 50p minimum price for a unit of alcohol would mean a standard bottle of wine could not be sold for less than £4.50, a two litre bottle of cider for £5.50, and the average six pack of lager for £6.00.Cheap alcohol is killing us as never before Sir Liam DonaldsonChief Medical Officer for England Sir Liam's report said a 50p minimum price for a unit of alcohol would mean a standard bottle of wine could not be sold for less than £4.50, a two litre bottle of cider for £5.50, and the average six pack of lager for £6.00.
He said after ten years such a move would lead to 3,400 fewer deaths and 100,000 fewer hospital admissions a year.He said after ten years such a move would lead to 3,400 fewer deaths and 100,000 fewer hospital admissions a year.
He also suggested minimum pricing would have a significant impact on crime rates.He also suggested minimum pricing would have a significant impact on crime rates.
He said it was important to recognise the concept of what he called "passive drinking".He said it was important to recognise the concept of what he called "passive drinking".
"England has a drink problem and the whole of society bears the burden."England has a drink problem and the whole of society bears the burden.
"The quality of life of families and in cities and towns up and down the country is being eroded by the effects of excessive drinking."The quality of life of families and in cities and towns up and down the country is being eroded by the effects of excessive drinking.
"Cheap alcohol is killing us as never before.""Cheap alcohol is killing us as never before."
In comparison, while alcohol consumption has fallen in many European countries since 1970, England's consumption has risen by 40%.In comparison, while alcohol consumption has fallen in many European countries since 1970, England's consumption has risen by 40%.
The average UK adult consumes the equivalent of 120 bottles of wine a year.The average UK adult consumes the equivalent of 120 bottles of wine a year.
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.
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. But Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that he did not want to penalise "moderate" drinkers.
Speaking at a press conference at 10 Downing Street on Monday he said: "We don't want the responsible, sensible majority of moderate drinkers to have to pay more or suffer as a result of the excesses of a minority."
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."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.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.
Scottish plansScottish plans
The Scottish Government has already proposed minimum pricing.The Scottish Government has already proposed minimum pricing.
Earlier this month SNP ministers put forward the suggestion to stop alcohol being sold a cut-price offers.Earlier this month SNP ministers put forward the suggestion to stop alcohol being sold a cut-price offers.
If the plans were adopted, Scotland will become the first country in Europe to take such a measure.If the plans were adopted, Scotland will become the first country in Europe to take such a measure.
Both Wales and Northern Ireland have also expressed an interest in minimum pricing, while ministers in England have said they would not rule it out in the long-term.Both Wales and Northern Ireland have also expressed an interest in minimum pricing, while ministers in England have said they would not rule it out in the long-term.
Last year, research published by Sheffield University - and commissioned by the Department of Health - concluded increasing the price of alcohol would be one of the most effective measures to tackle alcohol abuse.Last year, research published by Sheffield University - and commissioned by the Department of Health - concluded increasing the price of alcohol would be one of the most effective measures to tackle alcohol abuse.
Petra Meier, one of the Sheffield team, said a 50p minimum price would lead to a cut of 7% in alcohol consumption across the board, and 10% cut among heavy drinkers.Petra Meier, one of the Sheffield team, said a 50p minimum price would lead to a cut of 7% in alcohol consumption across the board, and 10% cut among heavy drinkers.