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| Tesco backs cheap alcohol limits | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Supermarket giant Tesco says it is willing to work with the government on possible legislation that would limit its ability to sell cut-price alcohol. | Supermarket giant Tesco says it is willing to work with the government on possible legislation that would limit its ability to sell cut-price alcohol. |
| The British Medical Association, which says cut-price offers fuel binge drinking, has said it wants tougher restrictions on how alcohol is sold. | The British Medical Association, which says cut-price offers fuel binge drinking, has said it wants tougher restrictions on how alcohol is sold. |
| Tesco says ministers must take the lead because competition laws stop retailers from artificially raising prices. | Tesco says ministers must take the lead because competition laws stop retailers from artificially raising prices. |
| The UK's biggest retailer says it would be "commercial suicide" to act alone. | The UK's biggest retailer says it would be "commercial suicide" to act alone. |
| 'Active role' | 'Active role' |
| And it said it was too simplistic to blame price alone for binge drinking and other alcohol-related problems. | And it said it was too simplistic to blame price alone for binge drinking and other alcohol-related problems. |
| Supermarkets are not allowed to act together to put up prices Lucy Neville-RolfeTesco Call over cheap alcohol offers | Supermarkets are not allowed to act together to put up prices Lucy Neville-RolfeTesco Call over cheap alcohol offers |
| However, the supermarket giant said it was prepared to take an active role in discussions about possible legislation on pricing and promotions. | However, the supermarket giant said it was prepared to take an active role in discussions about possible legislation on pricing and promotions. |
| Lucy Neville-Rolfe, Tesco's executive director for corporate and legal affairs, said action would have to come from the government. | Lucy Neville-Rolfe, Tesco's executive director for corporate and legal affairs, said action would have to come from the government. |
| She said: "We can't put up our prices because people will simply shop elsewhere - it could be commercial suicide - and we can't act together to put up prices because that would be against competition law. | She said: "We can't put up our prices because people will simply shop elsewhere - it could be commercial suicide - and we can't act together to put up prices because that would be against competition law. |
| "Supermarkets are not allowed to act together to put up prices because that would be bad for the consumer." | "Supermarkets are not allowed to act together to put up prices because that would be bad for the consumer." |
| 'Binge-drinking godfather' | 'Binge-drinking godfather' |
| A report from the BMA is expected to call for government policies to reduce drinking, including reviewing both taxes and 24-hour pub opening. | A report from the BMA is expected to call for government policies to reduce drinking, including reviewing both taxes and 24-hour pub opening. |
| The drinks industry has already begun lobbying ahead of next month's Budget for a freeze in alcohol duty. | The drinks industry has already begun lobbying ahead of next month's Budget for a freeze in alcohol duty. |
| In England, the Department of Health is waiting for the results of an independent review into whether cut-price drinks offers have a direct effect on people's health. | In England, the Department of Health is waiting for the results of an independent review into whether cut-price drinks offers have a direct effect on people's health. |
| Last December, Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy was branded the "godfather of British binge drinking" by the chairman of the all-party Parliamentary beer group. | Last December, Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy was branded the "godfather of British binge drinking" by the chairman of the all-party Parliamentary beer group. |
| Labour MP John Grogan used a Commons debate to push for action against supermarkets selling alcohol below cost price. | Labour MP John Grogan used a Commons debate to push for action against supermarkets selling alcohol below cost price. |
| The Scottish Government has already said it plans to ban "irresponsible" discounts on alcohol. | The Scottish Government has already said it plans to ban "irresponsible" discounts on alcohol. |
| In December, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "It's not right that we still have three for two, or buy 3 bottles for £10 deals in our off-sales and supermarkets encouraging people to buy and drink more than they had intended." | In December, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "It's not right that we still have three for two, or buy 3 bottles for £10 deals in our off-sales and supermarkets encouraging people to buy and drink more than they had intended." |
| Should supermarkets alter the way they sell alcohol? What do you think of the issues raised in this story? Send us your comments using the form below: | |