Government should not use the industry as scapegoats

Speaking in a debate on the alcohol strategy — the first on the subject since the Government published its strategy in March — Baroness Coussins pointed out that pubs “get it in the neck” all the time for offering so-called “24-hour drinking”.

Coussins said: “The industry should not be the scapegoat for all the blame when something goes wrong. Pubs often get it in the neck for offering so-called 24-hour drinking when in fact only a minute percentage of the UK’s licensed premises have a 24-hour licence. The fact is that we have seen a reduction in consumption since we have had a relaxation in the licensing regime.”

Lord Clement-Jones urged the Government not to “demonise” the industry but work with it on regulation for alcohol advertising. He said he was not convinced “that a more Draconian approach to advertising was in order”, and noted the Portman Group’s work in preventing alcohol advertising being directed at children.

“We should have evidence of abuse before plunging into further regulation,” Clement-Jones said. All of us would acknowledge this is an important industry. Let us not de-monise it, but work with it.”

However, Lord Brookes questioned the Government on when it will ask the drinks industry to stop advertising alcohol towards young people through social media. “Social media is heavily populated by the young these days and that is an area where the drinks industry feels that it can make the biggest impact,” he said.

Minister of State for the Home Office Lord Henley said there were already regulatory regimes to control alcohol advertising. He said the Government “would prefer to continue down a route of self-regulation”.

On minimum pricing, he explained that the Government will be consulting on the level in the autumn.

Tomorrow (19 July), the Health Select Committee inquiry into the Alcohol Strategy will present its findings. It is mooted it will report that the alcohol industry is in the “last chance saloon” and will face heavier regulation if no action is taken to discourage dangerous drinking.