Political protest grows over off-trade prices

High-ranking MPs and police officers are speaking out in growing numbers against irresponsible drink promotions in the UK's supermarkets

Senior figures from the police and Government have joined the chorus of criticism against cheap supermarket booze.

As dozens of MPs flock to sign the Early Day Motion (EDM) calling for an end to "irresponsible promotions" in the off-trade (46 MPs have put their name to it) the MA can reveal other influential voices are in agreement.

The news comes as the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) exposes the extent of supermarket discounting, with major supermarkets selling alcohol for as little as 54p a pint - just 5p more than a bottle of water.

Writing in the MA this week, John Grogan MP, who submitted the EDM, said Home Affairs Select Committee chairman John Denham "explicitly told me that the off-trade still has many questions to answer as regards its pricing and promotions".

Grogan called for senior politicians to "make a name for themselves" and speak out openly against supermarket discounting.

"The big four supermarkets will really start taking notice when the Home Secretary or the Health Secretary start making observations on their pricing policy," he said.

Chief Inspector Adrian Studd, of the Association of Chief Police Officer's Clubs and Vice Unit, also spoke out against cheap supermarket alcohol this week.

"Loss-leaders and cheap alcohol [promotions] are irresponsible," he told the MA. "It brings people in to just buy alcohol who are street drinkers, youngsters, or people who go back to cause domestic violence."

Studd also said discounted alcohol in the off-trade encourages under-18s to attempt to make purchases because it is more affordable.

Camra chief executive Mike Benner said: "The ridiculous practice of the major supermarkets selling below cost for alcohol to out-price each other is reckless, irresponsible and dangerous.

"Pubs often come under unjustified attack for encouraging binge-drinking, yet the industry has committed itself to curb irresponsible drinking and cheap alcohol promotions. This hard work is undermined by supermarkets selling enormous quantities of alcohol at prices that simply cannot be justified."

BII chief executive John McNamara has said supermarket discounts will come under "more and more" scrutiny as the Government implements its Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy. Under the strategy, alcohol retailers and producers were given three years to get their house in order. The strategy's third anniversary is in March.

Meanwhile, evidence of a consumer-led backlash against cheap supermarket alcohol sold around the clock is under way. In Headingley, West Yorkshire, people are calling for a Co-op store to stop selling booze 24 hours a day because it is increasing levels of anti-social behaviour and public drinking in the area. Resident Joe Kent said: "We have seen a steady deterioration in behaviour on the streets since the licence was granted."

Why not write to your local MP to sign EDM number 495 and support the campaign?

l My Shout, p6

CAMRA exposes cheap supermarket deals

l Sainsbury's selling Carling for 54p a pint (£9.99 for 24x440ml cans)

l Morrisons selling Grolsch for 76p a pint (£16 for 40x300ml)

l Tesco selling Budweiser for 95p a pint (£9.98 for 20x300ml)

MP's view from the constituencies

Eric Illsley, Labour, Barnsley Central

Licensees are often being blamed for the disorder which cheap supermarket booze brings to the streets.

Irresponsible on-trade drink promotions have largely been curtailed, but it's more difficult to stop the supermarkets.

The big multiples are very powerful. At the moment the only way forward I can see is some sort of voluntary code.

Nigel Evans, Conservative, Ribble Valley

Supermarket beer is now cheaper than bottled water in some stores so if any further evidence is needed of a cut-price alcohol war this is it.

I think the supermarkets should try and work together and follow some sort of code to ensure they are not sending out the wrong message to drinkers.

People may be avoiding pubs because they see beer on sale in stores at prices which are very attractive to them.

Brian Iddon, Labour, Bolton South East

Most alcohol which gets out onto the streets comes from supermarkets which make no attempt to find out where these products end up.

We have big concerns in Bolton with kids carrying carrier bags of four-packs into the parks and cemeteries and causing major problems.

I would hope organisations such as Drinkaware Trust are looking at the issue of irresponsible sales of supermarket alcohol very closely.

Howard Stoate, Labour, Dartford

I've seen examples of the prices at which alcohol is now available in the stores and the effect it is having on our town centres and it's pretty frightening.

Irresponsible promotions and pricing are encouraging binge drinking and I do not believe the supermarkets should be using alcohol as a loss-leader in this way.

We don't want to stop people enjoying a drink but it's time the supermarket sector did something to control this free-for-all.

Paul Holmes, Lib Dem, Chesterfield

Local licensees approached me some time ago complaining that customers were coming into pubs late at night tanked up on alcohol which had clearly been bought in stores.

This is becoming a trend and until the supermarkets get their act together and call a halt to discounting and irresponsible promotions the problem will continue.

Off-trade prices this Christmas were unbelievable. What's going on in supermarkets at the moment is absolutely wrong.