Supermarket chiefs say minimum alcohol pricing will not work

Setting a minimum price for alcohol would be a "blunt instrument" which would not tackle binge drinking, supermarket chiefs have told MPs.

The Commons Health Select Committee, which is investigating alcohol abuse, was told by Asda executive Paul Kelly that minimum prices would be a "stealth tax" which would hit those on low and fixed incomes - and would not  tackle the root causes of excessive drinking. "Minimum price is not the silver bullet that it has often been made out to be," he said.  

At thhe same meeting Sainsbury's executive Nick Grant said that the emphasis should be on cracking down on drunk customers still being served. Existing laws designed to stop intoxicated people from buying more alcohol were not being properly enforced, he told MPs, adding this would "save lives and police time".

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