Jacqui Smith

'Alcohol worse than ecstasy'

29-Oct-2009 By Matt Eley Matt

Alcohol and tobacco are more harmful than ecstasy, cannabis and LSD, the Government's chief drug adviser has claimed as he accused ministers of...

Controlled at every turn

04-Jun-2009 By Peter Coulson

Some commentators seem to think the industry has "got off lightly" with the proposed set of conditions that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith intends to add, says Peter Coulson.

Smith's strong-arm solution

22-May-2009 By Peter Coulson

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has made it abundantly clear that the lead ministry on licensing was, is, and will remain, the Home Office, says Peter Coulson.

ALMR: Code will affect responsible pubs

13-May-2009 By James Wilmore

The Association of Licensed Multilpe Retailers (ALMR) has attacked Home Secretary Jacqui Smith for planning to put more pubs "on the altar of red...

ALMR lashes out at 'arrogant' Government

13-May-2009 By Ewan Turney

The Government is "arrogant and out of touch" for pressing ahead with a mandatory code on alcohol retailing, say trade bosses.

Compulsory Challenge 21 plan shelved in mandatory code

13-May-2009 By John Harrington

The Government has abandoned plans to force all pubs to abide by Challenge 21 by law in its mandatory alcohol retailing code. The consultation on the...

National ID cards launched in Manchester

06-May-2009

A trade leader has said National ID cards would help the fight against underage drinking but doubts they will ever be introduced across the country....

BBPA: alcohol code based on flawed logic

22-Jan-2009 By John Harrington

The trade group tells Home Secretary Jacqui Smith that new restrictions on how licensees sell alcohol will be met with disbelief by many — and will accelerate pub closures.

BBPA urges government re-think on mandatory code

22-Jan-2009 By James Wilmore

The British Beer & Pub Association has today written to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith urging her to reconsider the "scope and scale" of a mandatory...

Action on irresponsible deals will apply "equally" to on and off-trade

20-Jan-2009 By James Wilmore

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has promised a clamp down on irresponsible alcohol promotions - part of a new industry code of practice - will apply...

'Diageo's new Dublin brewery plan in doubt'

20-Jan-2009

Diageo, the owner of Guinness stout, is scaling back plans to build a €650m brewery in Dublin and may scrap them altogether as global beer sales...

Mandatory drinks code closer to reality

19-Dec-2008 By James Wilmore

Government plans to introduce a national mandatory code of practice for the industry took a step closer yesterday with the official tabling of a new...

Problem pubs risk 3-month closure

11-Dec-2008 By Ewan Turney

Problem pubs could be shut for three months under tough new powers that came into force this week — the powers extend crack-house closure powers to other problem premises.

Top MP: ban on below-cost selling vital

05-Dec-2008 By James Wilmore

Alcohol-related problems will only be solved if the government takes action against supermarkets selling alcohol below-cost, a senior Labour MP has...

'Illegal booze chemist jailed'

05-Dec-2008

A disgraced chemist was behind bars last night for operating an illegal moonshine distillery which made him a staggering £10 million. Mridyul Das...

Who are the trade's friends?

05-Dec-2008 By Peter Coulson

I was intrigued to read the comments of political journalist Adam Boulton recently on the thorny question of how Government departments treat the...

Pub promotions clampdown confirmed in Queen's Speech

03-Dec-2008 By James Wilmore

Licensees are facing the prospect of another new raft of tough measures after government plans for a new mandatory code of practice for the drinks...

Home Secretary confirms promotions clampdown

01-Dec-2008 By James Wilmore

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has confirmed the government plans to unveil a mandatory code of practice for the industry in Wednesday's Queen's Speech....

Pubs to be forced to offer wine in small glasses

21-Jul-2008 By John Harrington

Pubs that serve wine and spirits would be legally bound to offer smaller serves under new plans expected to be announced this Autumn. It follows a...

Pubs could be forced to search customers for knives

14-Jul-2008 By Ewan Turney

Pubs and clubs in knife crime hotspots could be forced to search customers for weapons. A report in the Independent suggested that home secretary...

'Pub customers to be checked for knives'

13-Jul-2008

The police are to force pubs and clubs associated with knives or guns to search people on entry, under threat of losing their licences. The move will...

Alcohol campaign to target parents

02-Jun-2008

New plans will force parents to take greater responsibility

Home Office drinks industry report delayed

01-Apr-2008 By Matt Eley Matt

The publication of a Home Office commissioned report into the drinks industry has been delayed. In February, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced...

Metal detector plan for pubs and clubs

18-Feb-2008 By Ewan Turney

Pubs and clubs could have metal detectors installed at entrances to check for knives and guns. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced today, in the...

Comment: A cheap shot

18-Feb-2008

Last week Home Secretary Jacqui Smith used a major speech on alcohol policy to make some constructive points about the progress the on-trade is...

'Government to unleash alcohol hit squads to cut booze abuse'

17-Feb-2008

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is to set up alcohol hit squads to curb violent drinkers. The plans are part of her key anti-crime strategy which will be...

Shoot and then ask questions

14-Feb-2008

It is something of a self-fulfilling prophecy when the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith cites the levels of prosecutions for underage sale as a reason why...

Smith criticised for focus on drinks deals in bars

14-Feb-2008 By John Harrington john.harrington@william-reed.co.u

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has been criticised for wrongly targeting drinks deals in bars as she announced a crackdown on "dodgy premises". Smith...

Home Secretary slams cheap drinks promotions

06-Feb-2008

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has hit out at cheap alcohol promotions but said she wants to work with drinks industry bosses to tackle alcohol...

Beda: Partnership approach must filter through to police

06-Feb-2008 By Ewan Turney

A trade leader has welcomed the new spirit of partnership with Government but warned it must filter through to front-line police. Reacting to Home...

'Under-18s to be banned from drinking alcohol in public'

03-Feb-2008

Police are to be given new powers to confiscate booze from under-18s who drink in public. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith will announce the move on...

Coulson: ADZs - will the rules create a monster?

24-Jan-2008 By Peter Coulson

MA legal editor Peter Coulson considers the regulations on alcohol disorder zones

Tories weigh in on ADZs fiasco

22-Jan-2008 By James Wilmore

A Tory MP close to party leader David Cameron has challenged the government to explain why supermarkets will be excluded from paying for alcohol...

Brown calls for "cultural shift" on alcohol

22-Nov-2007 By James Wilmore

Gordon Brown has told the drinks industry a "cultural shift" is needed if the battle against underage and binge-drinking is to be won.The Prime...

Brown: Tough action on binge drinking

21-Nov-2007 By Ewan Turney

Gordon Brown has called for a coordinated approach

PM urges "co-ordinated" approach on alcohol

21-Nov-2007 By James Wilmore

Gordon Brown has called for a "co-ordinated" approach from alcohol producers and the trade to tackle binge and underage drinking. The Prime Minister...