Council bosses back calls for price cap on cheap booze

Council bosses have backed calls for a price cap on cheap booze which could ‘save lives, reduce crime and slash NHS spending” in South Tyneside.

In recent months, researchers have been looking at the impact of schemes to regulate booze in places like Scotland and Canada.

This includes a minimum unit price (MUP) which increases the cost of cheap high-strength drinks such as ciders and some spirits.

According to a new study from the University of Sheffield, introducing a MUP of 50p in England would improve health outcomes for the heaviest drinkers.

In South Tyneside, it is predicted that 144 deaths would be avoided over the next 20 years alongside 289 fewer alcohol-associated crimes per year.

Research also suggests the price hike could save the NHS £547,805 per year by reducing alcohol-related admissions by 222 every 12 months.

South Tyneside Council’s cabinet agreed on 19 February to write to the Government calling for MUP to be introduced in England as a “matter of urgency”.

Lead Member for Independence and Wellbeing on the council, Coun Tracey Dixon, said the changes would have a real impact in South Tyneside.

“MUP is a highly targeted and effective measure which would save lives, cut crime, save money and reduce pressure on our overstretched emergency services,” she added.

North East Alcohol Office Balance is currently approaching health bosses in the region to lobby government to introduce MUP nationally.

The move is not expected to hit pubs, bars or restaurants, most of whom already sell alcohol at prices above the suggested 50p per unit minimum level.

Early results from Scotland’s MUP were also revealed to cabinet covering the four months pre-MUP and eight months post-MUP.

The data showed that alcohol consumption fell by 3% while increasing by 2% in England and Wales over the same period.

South Tyneside Council’s letter to government notes the borough has some of the highest alcohol-related death rates and hospital admissions in England.

It adds that alcohol has a wider impact on the borough by contributing to child abuse, neglect, domestic violence, suicides and family breakdown.

The letter goes on to say: “We recognise that the introduction of MUP is not a magic bullet.

“We need a range of measures to turn the tide of alcohol harm and we are working hard at a local level to help those most in need.

“But all of the independent evidence tells us that many of the problems are being driven by the widespread availability of very strong, very cheap alcohol consumed by the heaviest drinkers – and the introduction of a minimum unit price in England would tackle that problem at source.

“We ask you again to introduce the measure as a matter of urgency.”