Wirral asks residents if they want minimum price

By Gurjit Degun

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Minimum pricing County borough Merseyside Alcoholic beverage

Minimum price: Wirral residents being surveyed
Minimum price: Wirral residents being surveyed
Wirral council is asking residents whether minimum pricing on alcohol should be implemented in the borough. The council explained that it is looking...

Wirral council is asking residents whether minimum pricing on alcohol should be implemented in the borough.

The council explained that it is looking at ways to reduce the "negative impact of excessive alcohol consumption on individuals, local communities and public services".

However, critics argue that it will "unfairly penalise" sensible drinkers.

The council quoted research by Sheffield University carried out in 2008 looking into the benefits of minimum pricing. It suggested that this would mean 3,400 fewer deaths a year, 98,000 fewer hospital admissions, 300,000 fewer days absent from work and 46,000 fewer crimes every year. Although many have questioned the research.

The public consultation will run until 18 February, and is part of wider research by authorities in Merseyside and Halton.

Greater Manchester is already pushing for a minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol, and authorities want to introduce a new bylaw to enforce it in their area.

Wirral Council's licencing chair, councillor Sue Taylor, said: "We have contacted many of the organisations involved either in the sale of alcohol or dealing with the more extreme consequences of alcohol consumption but I also want to give residents, who may have views, the chance to comment as well.

"We are keen to work with the government to stop large supermarkets selling alcohol at below cost price and also to reform the licensing laws to give local communities more control. Alcohol is a major feature of this time of year and I'm sure many people will have their own view."

Related topics Legislation

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