Booze pricing not on talks agenda
Alcohol pricing is not up for discussion in talks between the trade and Government to thrash out a "Responsibility Deal" with the industry, the MA has learnt.
It's believed that concerns around competition law, plus proposed action elsewhere to ban below-cost sales, have scuppered any attempts to address pricing policy in the off-trade.
It comes as pressure rises on supermarkets over their latest pre-Christmas deals, with pro-pub MP Greg Mulholland slating the "unholy" alcohol pricing war in Parliament, where Cabinet minister Sir George Young re-stated the commitment to ban below-cost sales.
Representatives of around a dozen companies and trade groups have joined a "network" — one of five on public health set up by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley — to discuss where the trade can act on alcohol via a Responsibility Deal.
It is co-chaired by health minister Paul Burstow and the Wine & Spirit Trade Association, with members including the British Beer & Pub Association, Mitchells & Butlers, Diageo, Heineken UK, Molson Coors, Portman Group and Drinkaware.
One source said: "The aim is to pull the industry together and come up with agreements about what to do. It's a switch from the approach of the previous administration that was legislation-heavy."
Subjects under discussion include "pretty much everything other than price", the source added. Details are expected to be revealed in the first few months of 2011.
Feedback may also inform the upcoming white paper on public health.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "The Responsibility Deal needs to result in practical changes that help people make healthier choices."
Alcohol unit information scheme for new year
A pilot scheme aimed at giving consumers more information on alcohol units in pubs is set to begin early next year.
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) and Drinkaware have been in discussions about the scheme, which is seen as a key part of the Responsibility Deal with the Government.
BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds told the Morning Advertiser: "We are testing the scheme on unit labelling first with consumers and then with pubs. We will then refine our messaging and pilot it, hopefully in the new year.
"I do think it is good to give customers more information about units, but it has to be in a way that they will find useful."
Drinkaware chief executive Chris Sorek said: "The BBPA approached Drinkaware to help create a more effective way of communicating unit messaging to consumers in pubs, clubs and bars."
