The Board gave consideration to a report of the Director of Public Health that set out that making alcohol less affordable was the most effective way of reducing alcohol-related harm. It was reported that many health groups had been campaigning for the introduction of a minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol in England to reduce the harm caused by cheap, strong alcohol e.g. white cider. 

The report detailed work taking place across the North of England to consider the introduction of a minimum unit price for alcohol.  Alcohol consumption had an impact on social, economic and cultural life. In recent years alcohol consumption had increased dramatically and it was now estimated that 85% of adults drink alcohol.

It was reported that alcohol misuse was now the third biggest risk factor to health behind tobacco and high blood pressure. The Wirral Alcohol Strategy had been published in 2015 with the aim for Wirral to be a place that promoted a responsible attitude towards alcohol and minimised the risks, harms and costs of alcohol misuse to allow individuals, families and communities to lead healthier and safer lives. The ambition set out in the strategy was to support Wirral to have a healthier relationship with alcohol by intervening as early as possible.

MUP was linked to the strength of the product and worked by setting a floor price below which a product cannot be sold. In that way, it increased the price of the cheapest drinks which were most typically consumed by increasing and higher risk drinkers.

Research from Sheffield University indicated that significant benefits would be seen from the introduction of a 50p MUP in England.  The same research clearly showed that MUP impacted on those people drinking at high risk levels, while leaving the average moderate drinker virtually untouched. The report also noted that most of the harm prevented would be found in more deprived groups. Despite not drinking more than high income groups, they suffered the greatest harm.

A member questioned whether the policy of Local Action Areas implemented 7 years ago gain anything and the Director informed that this had not been taken forward and was no longer in existence. A lot of work however had been put in and was still in place and the situation remained hopeful that this could be continued under the new Committee structure.

The Director of Public Health also highlighted that previous research had shown that less than 1% of products sold in pubs would be affected by a 50P MUP.  In light of the harms caused in Wirral by the widespread availability of cheap alcohol and the improvements in alcohol related health and crime promised by the research it was;

Resolved - That

•  lobbying activity in collaboration with councils across the North of England for the introduction of MUP in England be supported.

•  work with neighbouring areas to consult on making a bid to introduce MUP at a regional/sub-regional/local level by making a bid using the Sustainable Communities Act be supported.