Nicola Sturgeon welcomes Tesco support for minimum pricing

Published on Friday 21 May 2010 15:37

SUPERMARKET giant Tesco's support for a minimum price on alcohol was welcomed today by Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon.

The firm's chief executive, Sir Terry Leahy, said today binge drinking is one of the most serious issues facing the UK and backed minimum pricing, which the SNP Government wants to introduce in Scotland.

Ms Sturgeon said Tesco's backing shows the "overwhelming" case for the policy, which does not have the support of Holyrood opposition parties.

"There's growing support for the policy, including from all four UK Chief Medical Officers, the BMA, the police, the pub trade and some influential alcohol producers, as well as Tesco," she said.

"This coalition demonstrates that our policy has support from a wide range of bodies who are convinced by the overwhelming evidence and weight of opinion in favour of minimum pricing.

"Crucially Tesco have reached their position after consultation with customers, demonstrating that there is also consumer support for change.

"Like me, they believe that it's wrong that you can buy alcohol in supermarkets for less than the cost of bottled water.

She added: "Minimum pricing is not a magic bullet but is a step in the right direction."

A survey of Tesco customers found nearly 70% thought excessive drinking is one of the most serious issues facing the UK, while 61% were concerned about alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour.

The Tory-Lib Dem Government at Westminster has pledged to end loss-leading promotions on lagers and ciders and target prices through raising tax on alcohol.

Sir Terry told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: "We welcome the new Government's commitment to act on below-cost selling of alcohol and today I pledge that we will support Government-led action to make this happen across the UK.

"We will also support any future discussions on a minimum price for alcohol."

Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Tories all oppose the SNP plans and have the combined voting muscle to reject any Bill in the Scottish Parliament.

Labour today claimed the SNP plans to reduce binge-drinking will give supermarkets and big brewers a 113 million windfall.

Labour justice spokesman Richard Baker says a Government report,

commissioned from the University of Sheffield, concluded that "for a 40p minimum price with combined discount ban, total retailer revenue is estimated to increase by 113m per annum".

Mr Baker said: "I believe that Scotland's hard-drinking culture is a national disgrace. We need to consider radical measures to reduce the level of problem drinking but minimum unit pricing is not the answer.

"The Scottish Government's own study shows that their proposals would deliver a 113 million windfall to the supermarkets and other retailers, at the expense of pensioners and people on low incomes.

"This is unfair and unjust."

Tory health spokesman Murdo Fraser added: "Tesco's support for the SNP's plans for indiscriminate blanket minimum pricing is unsurprising given that this would boost their own profits.

"Action on alcohol abuse must be about cutting consumption, not boosting profits."