Britain shelves plan for minimum alcohol pricing

Britain has shelved a plan to introduce a minimum price for alcohol, a move aimed at clamping down on binge drinking but which was opposed by drinks manufacturers and some senior politicians, British media reported.

A consultation on the plan to set a mininum price of £0.45 (€0.51) per unit of alcohol closed last month, the measure meant to help tackle anti-social behaviour but which critics said punished responsible drinkers and the poor.

British media outlets said the plan was dropped due to Government divisions on the issue, but cited no sources.

The proposal also reputedly was opposed by the Treasury due to its likely negative impact on tax revenues at a time of strained public finances.

A spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron’s office declined to comment on the reports.