Public split on minimum price
The public view on minimum pricing is as divided as opinions in the trade, according to new research.
A survey by YouGov on introducing a minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol showed support from 40 per cent of the 2,000 people surveyed. However 47 per cent said there were against the move, with the rest undecided.
Minimum pricing has hit the headlines recently with local schemes being launched in Manchester and Middlesbrough. Politicians in Northern Ireland are also keen to introduce the measure.
The Publican has campaigned for a 50p unit price in a bid to clampdown on cheap supermarket deals with many licensees and groups such as the BII, CAMRA and Noctis supporting the move.
However others, including the British Beer & Pub Association, have said allowing the government to set a price it could be "the thin edge of the wedge".
The YouGov survey also revealed that a minimum price would make no difference to the amount 76 per cent of UK adults drink.
YouGov's Anthony Wells, said: "With the public split it will be interesting to see whether this develops into a major issue for the coalition government to deal with."
Officially the government has no plans to introduce a minimum price.
A Home Office spokesman told The Publican: "We will work to stop the below-cost price sale of alcohol. It is not clear that national minimum unit pricing is the best way to achieve this so we need to look at other options."
