A  top doctor has criticised the Government’s decision to shelve plans for a minimum price for alcohol.

Brighton and Hove public health director Tom Scanlon said the move was disappointing and he hoped ministers would reconsider.

A consultation document last year floated a base price of 45p per unit in England and Wales, but Home Office Minister Jeremy Browne yesterday said there was not enough concrete evidence it would reduce the level of problem drinking without hitting people who drink responsibly.

Mr Browne also ruled out a ban on multi-buy promotions due to a “lack of convincing evidence” that it would have a significant effect on consumption.

Brighton and Hove has high levels of binge drinkingandhospital admissions connected to alcohol and just under a fifth of adults admit they regularly drink toomuch.

Curb damage On average there are two alcoholrelated deaths in the city every week.

Price

Dr Scanlon said: “Alcohol plays a very important role in the city’s economy, by day and by night.

“However, this comes at a price.

“Alcohol misuse is estimated to cost the city £107 million each year in health, social care and crime.

“It is very disappointing then that the Government is not pressing on with a minimum price for alcohol, ignoring the advice of doctors and health policy experts, as well as credible research which indicates that adopting a minimum price would curb some of the damage that alcohol causes.

“I hope that ministers will reflect and reconsider this decision.”

He added: “In the meantime in Brighton and Hove, we will continue to run an array of initiatives recognised on the national stage as helping to manage the night-time economy, and seek to reduce the harmthat alcohol misuse causes.”

Mike Pattinson, operations director of CRI, social care and health charity working with people affected by alcohol and drugs in Brighton and Hove, said: “We’re disappointed that plans for a minimum unit price have been shelved.

“While that wouldn’t be the answer in itself to help reduce harm from alcohol consumption, it would be successful if implemented as part of a package to address alcohol consumption.”

Last year city officials called on the Home Secretary for an “alcohol tax” on sales from off-licences, shops and supermarkets, hospital admissions and crime.

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