Delivery Apps Under Fire as MPs and Experts Call for Minimum Alcohol Pricing in England
Published
Rapid delivery services that bring cheap alcohol to people's front doors are "fuelling" alcohol-related harm, according to a group of experts and Members of Parliament. They say that the fast and easy access to drink is making it harder to control heavy drinking in England.
The group is calling on the government to introduce minimum unit pricing. This policy would set a lowest price for each unit of alcohol, which means very cheap strong drinks could no longer be sold for little money. Scotland and Wales already have minimum unit pricing in place, so supporters say England should follow their example. They argue that the policy would reduce the amount of alcohol people drink and lower the number of health problems linked to it.
Supporters of the change say that delivery apps have made alcohol more available than ever before. Some drinks can now arrive at a customer's home within minutes, and people do not need to leave the house to buy them. Campaigners worry that this convenience may encourage people to drink more often, and that it could be especially risky for those who already struggle with alcohol. They say that the government should act quickly to protect public health.
At the moment, the government has not announced any plans to bring in minimum unit pricing in England. The debate is likely to continue as MPs and health groups put more pressure on ministers. For now, the call for stricter rules on alcohol sales is growing louder across the country.
Sources: LBC
More United Kingdom news
- Aldi puts 150 technology jobs at risk in latest outsourcing
- Amber cold health alerts issued across northern England
- Dutch Start-Up Optics11 Talks With Dozens of Navies About Underwater Listening Technology
- £800,000 Boost for Practical AI Training in Barnsley
- South Korean Water Company K-Water Discusses Tidal Power Cooperation with Liverpool
- South African Broadcaster Criticises Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Description of the UK
- Conservative MP Warns Andy Burnham Could Use 'Boiling Frog' Strategy on EU Rejoining
- UK Government Criticises Plaid Cymru Over Welsh Defence Sector