Push for 75p-a-unit alcohol price

TOWNS and cities in Greater Manchester could band together to end the sale of cheap booze . . . with Oldham leading the way.

But 10 council leaders say a recommendation by health advisers that drinkers should pay at least 50p a unit is not enough. They want the minimum price to be at least 75p a unit.

The new Greater Manchester Health Commission held a workshop for more than 40 politicians and officials and has decided to strongly advocate nationally and locally for a minimum unit price for alcohol of 50p in line with the evidence and advice from the Chief Medical Officer.

But when council leaders discussed the report at a meeting of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, they agreed with Oldham’s leader, Councillor Howard Sykes, who said: “I don’t think 50p is high enough.”

Oldham has acted after being branded the binge drinking capital of Britain in a BBC Panorama programme and Councillor Sykes added: “I think 50p a unit is still cheap enough for drinkers to play the shots game whereas 75p a unit could make a difference.”

The Health Commission wants to target cheap booze promotions in pubs and clubs as well as in supermarkets and off-licences after a report by Sheffield University concluded that a 50p minimum would cut consumption by big drinkers by 10 per cent.

The research found that the 50p minimum unit price would lead to 97,900 fewer hospital admissions and 10,300 fewer violent crimes per year.

It would mean that the cheapest 750ml bottle of wine (12 per cent alcohol) would be £4.50, six 500ml cans of lager £6; a 2 litre bottle of cider £5.50, and a 700ml bottle of whisky £14.