Brown summons trade leaders
Gordon Brown is to hold a summit meeting with the trade to discuss binge drinking and responsible marketing next Wednesday, the MA can reveal.
It is the latest indication that the PM is keen to take a personal involvement in the alcohol agenda.
Invites to the breakfast meeting are in the process of being sent out to representatives of the on and off-trades and drinks producers.
The MA understands that individuals companies, as well as trade bodies, are being invited to meet the PM.
The meeting is likely to focus on responsible retailing and marketing as the festive period approaches.
Earlier this week Brown told Parliament that he is to meet the trade about "practices in relation to the selling and marketing of drink, particularly the dangers that befall teenagers as a result of that".
He added: "I also want to meet the drinks industry to look at what they are doing in relation to advertising and warning young people about the dangers of binge drinking and yes we will look, as councils are looking at, areas where young people are congregating in numbers to drink and see what can be done about that."
Under pressure
Brown is under pressure to show that he is taking a tough line on the issue. Binge drinking hit the headlines this week following the high-profile launch of the Alcohol Health Alliance, which is calling for a 10% hike in alcohol tax.
Portman group chief executive David Poley, who is to attend the meeting, said: "We look forward to working closely with the Prime Minister on ways to address the significant public and political concern about alcohol misuse."
