Tories call for ban on alcohol loss-leading

A ban on the below-cost selling of alcohol is one of a series of tough proposals announced by the Conservative Party today to tackle underage drinking.

It is also proposing a 'three strikes and you're out' policy for retailers selling alcohol to children and a doubling of the maximum fine for selling to children from £10,000 to £20,000.

David Davis, Shadow Home Secretary, said: "The government's lax approach to 24-hour drinking has fuelled violent crime and disorder on our streets. There are no simple solutions. We need concerted law enforcement to curb the mayhem generated by this reckless approach."

These comments came despite the Home Office's review of the Act, leaked to The Publican ​before publication, which revealed the Act had caused an overall three per cent drop in crime in its first year - and that less than one per cent of pubs have a 24-hour licence.

Shadow Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt added: "The vast majority of retailers sell alcohol responsibly but its time we got tough with those who don't.

"Harsher fines and a simple three strikes and you're out policy on selling to under age customers would stop irresponsible retailers in their tracks."

However a spokeswoman for David Davis stressed to The Publican ​the proposals were aimed at dealing with the problems assocciated with off-trade sales.

The Tories proposals in full are:

• 1. A revision of the law to ban loss-leader sales of alcohol, in order to prevent the sale of alcohol below cost price:

• The Conservative Party's Alcohol Policy Group will draw up detailed proposals in the coming weeks with a view to revising UK law to achieve this objective.

• To consult with retailers and the wider industry on these proposals.

2. Changes to the licensing regime to introduce a 'three strikes and you're out' policy

• If a licensed premise is found to be selling alcohol under-age the event would trigger a formal warning from the local authority and a potential fine and suspension of the licence.

• A second offence within three years would automatically require a fine and review of the licence. The review could result in (1) the attachment of conditions or restrictions on the licence (2) a temporary suspension of the licence or (3) revocation.

• For a third event within three years this would trigger automatic revocation of the licence and a fine.

• The maximum fine for repeated sales of alcohol underage would be doubled from £10,000 to £20,000.