Chris Grayling has announced a radical plan to tackle binge drinking and alcohol-related violence and disorder on our streets.
The Shadow Home Secretary said that a Conservative government will introduce significant price increases on the problem drinks that are strongly associated with anti-social behaviour.
He also explained that we would give tough new powers to local councils to prevent cheap sale of super-strength beers, ciders and alcopops and empowering local councils to clamp down on disorder hotspots.
Key measures include:
· Significant tax increases including on alcopops, strong beer and strong cider that contribute to violence and disorder on our streets. As a result, a 4-pack of super-strength beer will be £1.30 more expensive, a 2-litre bottle of super-strength cider will be 84p more expensive and a large bottle of alcopops will be up to £1.50 more expensive.
· Supermarkets and other retailers will be banned from selling alcohol below cost price. This will help tackle the ‘pre-loading’ trend – young people and binge drinkers consuming cheap alcohol at home before going to town centres.
· A much tougher licensing regime. Local councils and the police will be given new powers to restrict the large number of late licences awarded to shops, takeaways and other venues.
Chris said that Labour have "utterly failed to get a grip" on alcohol-fuelled crime, leaving the Police overstretched as they fight a constant battle in town centres at weekends, and he added:
"Today, we are sending a clear signal that a Conservative government will take real action to tackle binge drinking."