MPs turn store’s cheap lager into whine

ASDA has come under fire in the Commons for selling lager cheaper than bottled water.

MPs have condemned the supermarket for selling four cans of Skol for 90p — the equivalent of 5.11 pence per 100ml. In comparison Evian water is being sold at 5.55 pence per 100ml.

A Commons petition calls on Government to look at the pricing policy of beers in supermarkets compared with pubs.

MPs say they are “appalled” any supermarket is selling beer cheaper than water.

They continued: “We question whether this is an example of loss leading sales, encourages all supermarkets to cease this practice immediately, with 36 pub closures a week.”

Tory MP Nigel Evans, of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, who tabled the motion said: “Selling alcohol at such a low price is extremely irresponsible.”

Immigration minister and Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Phil Woolas said: “If we stop it being sold at lower prices, there will be more illegality and smuggling and it is saying rich people can drink and poorer people cannot.”

Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher added: “It seems extraordinary that lager is sold cheaper than bottled water.” When the Chronicle visited Asda Chadderton, we discovered that a four pack of Skol was being sold for 92p, while the store’s smart price brand of lager was selling for the even more bargain price of just 91p for four cans.

But ASDA has rigorously defended its policy in the wake of the MPs' comments.

A store spokesman said: “We believe that all our customers deserve value across the whole of the store whether it’s on lager, a loaf of bread or a litre of petrol.

“We take our role as a responsible retailer very seriously; we have already banned the sale of alcohol in our town centre stores overnight, have stopped selling certain alcopops and shooters that appeal to young people and have doubled the number of test purchases carried out in our stores.

“We believe the introduction of minimum pricing will simply create incentives for black markets.”