Home Office: 'clear case' for alcohol code
The Home Office says there's a "clear case" for mandatory alcohol retailing code to be introduced soon — despite calls from Business Secretary Peter Mandelson for the plan to be shelved.
The move suggests a difference of opinion within Government over the need for the code.
The Times reports today that Lord Mandelson has ordered a raft of regulations to be delayed due to the recession. In a letter to members of a Cabinet sub-committee, Mandelson singled out the mandatory code on alcohol as a candidate for delay.
Mandelson wrote: "I support the approach that where measures appear without a planned implementation date — and on the assumption they are not planned for the near future — we commit to not imposing these measures until after April 2011."
A Home Office source said: "We think there's a clear case for acting now even though it's a new set of regulations."
A spokesman for the Home Office said: "The aim of the mandatory code is to crack down on the minority of businesses whose irresponsible promotions fuel the excessive drinking that can lead people into criminal or anti-social behaviour.
"We have consulted widely with the industry and others about these important changes and are currently considering their responses, before we announce when and how the code will be introduced."
The code, which would have forced pubs to follow conditions including curbs on drinks promotions and smaller drinks servings, could cost the trade £58m to implement with on-going annual costs of £38m.
