Henry Smith MP used Parliamentary Home Office Questions this week to seek Government support for the pioneering local scheme being put forward by the Crawley & Gatwick Business Watch group. The business-led scheme would require local stores to label the origin from which high strength alcohol beverages are sold so shops who are irresponsibly selling can be identified.
Henry said:
“Our local businesses are leading the way by trialling a new scheme designed to help crack down on alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour and I was pleased use the opportunity to raise the scheme directly on the floor of the House of Commons with Home Office Ministers.”
Commenting on the scheme, Home Office Minister, Jeremy Browne MP, said:
“I do agree that there is value in alcohol labelling so that shops and other licensed premises that are selling alcohol inappropriately, for example to minors, can be more easily traced and that activity more easily prevented and so we are keen to see that kind of innovative activity take place.”
After receiving the Minister’s support for the scheme, Henry commented:
“Nationally, the Government is seeking to address alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour by providing communities with powerful new tools to take action against such groups and will empower councils to levy a charge for late night licenses and introduce an early morning alcohol restriction order programme.
“This national strategy, in collaboration with localised partnerships such as Crawley & Gatwick Business Watch, will ensure that a strong set of measures are developed that will clamp down on binge drinking and provide greater support and advice to help people maintain a healthier lifestyle.”
It is estimated that the annual cost to the country through directly associated illness, crime, disorder and health treatment arising from excessive drinking is £21 billion. Measures being put forward by the Government are at reversing the worrying trend in alcohol abuse; with an estimated 50,000 fewer crimes each year and 9000 fewer alcohol related deaths per year by the end of the decade.