NI pubs group welcomes minimum price push

Trade group Pubs of Ulster has welcomed today's launch of a consultation into minimum pricing in Northern Ireland.

Ministers are keen to be first government to introduce the measure and are pushing for a unit price of between 40p to 70p.

The aim is to reduce binge-drinking and anti-social behaviour and it has been welcomed by the trade group that represents pubs in Northern Ireland.

Chief executive Colin Neill said: "The availability of cheap alcohol has had a serious impact on health and antisocial behaviour and is an ongoing issue for Pubs of Ulster and indeed the wider community.

"As a result, Pubs of Ulster has been at the forefront of the fight for the introduction of minimum pricing in Northern Ireland.

"Northern Ireland now has the opportunity to introduce effective legislation ahead of the rest of the UK and Ireland.

"However, this legislation needs to go further than the recent proposals set out by the Home Office for England and Wales, where the proposed minimum price was based on duty plus VAT resulting in a price of 21p per unit for beer and 28p per unit of spirits.

"We hope that legislation in Northern Ireland will take into account expert advice and extensive evidence that suggests that the price should be much higher, at least 50p per unit."

The consultation is also seeking views on charging venues a 'social responsibility levy'. Neill added pubs already pay above the odds and that the "this levy is added to the supermarkets that now sell the majority of alcohol in the province".