Methodist Church welcomes push for the responsible pricing of alcohol

The British Methodist Church has welcomed calls from MPsto set minimum prices on alcoholic drinks.

Today's report from the Home Affairs Select Committee 'Policing inthe 21st Century' highlights the serious problems ofalcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour. It calls for anend to 'happy hours', supermarket loss-leading promotions, and theintroduction of minimum sale prices for alcohol.

David Bradwell, Public Issues Policy Adviser, said: 'Alcoholmisuse is a growing problem. This is partly due to the easyavailability of cheap booze - alcohol was 69% more affordable lastyear compared to 1980. This is why we support the recommendationsof the Select Committee.'

The Methodist Church has a long tradition of promoting abstinenceand moderate drinking as a way of tackling the problems alcoholcauses.

David continued; 'John Wesley railed against cheap gin in the 18thcentury because of its devastating impact on the lives of the mostvulnerable people. The Methodist Church today urges the Governmentto move towards imposing minimum prices for alcohol and endingirresponsible promotions by retailers.'