MPs urge action on supermarket alcohol
Eighteen MPs have backed a Parliamentary motion calling for tough action against cheap supermarket alcohol.
The Early Day Motion expresses "regret" that "the off-trade is not required to uphold similar high standards in its sale of alcohol" following the tough restrictions planned for pubs through the mandatory alcohol retailing code.
The updated code, revealed yesterday, will force new restrictions on drinks deals and other edicts on pubs. But there is no action on cheap off-trade alcohol.
The EDM says "super-cheap alcohol in bulk volumes" sold from supermarkets "significantly adds to alcohol harm in the UK".
And it slates the "concerning" practice of pre-loading - "for which the pub trade is not responsible".
It believes supermarkets have an "important role to play in reducing alcohol harm" and "calls on the Government urgently to tackle deep discounting and below-cost selling in the off-trade".
The EDM is from Bolton South East MP Brian Iddon.
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