WELSH LABOUR MINISTER BACKS SNP ALCOHOL PLAN

WELSH LABOUR MINISTER BACKS SNP ALCOHOL PLAN

Support for minimum pricing continued to grow today as the Labour Minister for Social Affairs in Wales Dr Brian Gibbons called for action and said Wales should follow Scotland’s example.

Dr Gibbon’s comments are to be broadcast on BBC Radio Wales tonight.

In the interview the Labour Minister says:

“It's seriously of concern to me that a person can consume more than their desired daily intake of alcohol for less than £1.

"We do need to be looking at the pricing structure, which at times does encourage people to drink the strongest alcohol with the most deleterious effect.

"So we would like minimum pricing, a taxation structure related to the alcohol strength. We will have the experience of Scotland to work from, so we won't have to reinvent the wheel, possibly, in this regard."

Welcoming Dr Gibbon’s comments SNP MSP and Justice Committee member Nigel Don said:

“Labour’s Welsh Social Affairs Minister is the latest in a long line of people and organisations backing the SNP’s efforts to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol.

“In fact Welsh Labour are following Irvine Welsh in supporting minimum pricing. Dr Gibbon’s intervention puts the spotlight firmly onto Scottish Labour.

“Balancing price to alcohol strength is an essential part of tackling the problems we face and changing the damaging effects of alcohol on lives, families and our communities.

“The cost of alcohol to our society is huge – while the cost in supermarkets is minimal. This is unacceptable.

“With the revelation today that supermarkets are claiming VAT refunds on discounted alcohol it is clear the current situation is no longer sustainable.

“The SNP is facing up to this challenge with legislation to tackle our problematic relationship with alcohol due out this week. With Welsh Labour, all four chief medical officers, the Royal College of Physicians, senior police and the licensed trade backing the measure it is time for all politicians to put the health, wellbeing and economy of Scotland before the profits of supermarkets and stand up for action against cheap alcohol.”