MPs urged to join fight against "irresponsible" supermarkets

MPs are being urged to make a stand against supermarkets that run 'irresponsible' price promotions on alcohol.

MP John Grogan has tabled a Parliamentary motion, drafted by The Publican, calling for supermarkets to stop using alcohol as a loss leader. The Early Day Motion (EDM), already signed by 12 MPs on its first day, suggests that binge-drinking is being fuelled, not by pubs, but by cheap alcohol in supermarkets.

Grogan raised the issue during a drinks reception hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group and the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) in the Houses of Parliament last Tuesday (December 12).

He told guests, including MPs and senior industry figures, that pricing was set to be the big issue for the trade in 2007.

"The pub industry has put its house in order, so it is unacceptable to have 20 cans of strong lager as a loss leader in our supermarkets," he added. "We need to put a stop to that."

Supermarket pricing has been an area of increasing concern for the pub trade for the past five years - but this is the first time MPs have been formally asked to consider the issue.

Publicans appear encouraged that the problem is being highlighted to MPs.

Graham Rowson, licensee of the Plungington Tavern in Preston, Lancashire, said: "I definitely support this. In some shops beer is now cheaper than water - the country has a problem when this is the case. But unfortunately it's the licensees who get the bad headlines."

Roger Jackson, licensee of the Angelsey Arms in Halnaker, West Sussex, said: "We are far more responsible than the off-trade and a lot of young people drink alcohol bought from supermarkets before they come out to the pub."

Caroline Nodder, The Publican's editor, said: "The pub sector has worked incredibly hard over the last few years to stamp out irresponsible promotions, but without a similar level of support from the off-trade we can't win this fight.

"I am delighted to have been involved in drafting this EDM and The Publican will certainly be championing this issue over the coming months."

What the EDM is proposing:

This house believes that the substantial price differential between alcohol sold in pubs and that sold in the off-trade is exacerbating the problem of binge-drinking; continues to support the pub trade's efforts to curb irresponsible drinking and promotions; urges supermarkets and off-licences to follow the example of pubs and act to end irresponsible drinks promotions and agree not to use alcohol as a loss leader on their premises.

Ask your MP to sign up to EDM number: 495