As part of the wider reforms to tackle binge drinking, crime and anti-social behaviour, the Home Office's Alcohol Strategy Consultation that ended 6 Feb suggests several changes for the government.

The government has already rebalanced the Licensing Act in favour of local communities so that anyone can object to licensing applications. It has also introduced a late night levy so that businesses that sell alcohol late into the night contribute towards the cost of policing. Now consultation has focussed on five key areas likely to bring changes in legislation:

  • a ban on multi-buy promotions in shops and off-licences to reduce excessive alcohol consumption – arguably not necessary if the minimum unit price is introduced but likely to be brought in whilst the minimum price issues are resolved
  • a review of the mandatory licensing conditions, to ensure that they are sufficiently targeting problems such as irresponsible promotions in pubs and clubs – designed to meet the 2010 promise to review the impact of current mandatory conditions
  • health as a new alcohol licensing objective for cumulative impacts so that licensing authorities can consider alcohol-related health harms when managing the problems relating to the number of premises in their area – an amendment to the s182 guidance and may be on of the first proposals to be introduced
  • cutting red tape for responsible businesses to reduce the burden of regulation while maintaining the integrity of the licensing system – proposals to relax the provision of TENs; introduction of an "Ancillary Sales Consideration" for alcohol sales within some businesses; lifting the ban on alcohol sales from motorway service stations; removing the need to advertise an application in a newspaper; and late night refreshment licences changes - all sensible proposals but each with their own unique issues
  • minimum unit pricing, ensuring for the first time that alcohol can only be sold at a sensible and appropriate price - this received strong support but the government may have to consider the fact this restraint of trade is contrary to UK and EU competition laws without much actual benefit to the public. We may also wait to see how this measure pans out in Scotland.

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