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David Cameron vows to tackle binge drinking 'scandal' David Cameron vows to tackle binge drinking 'scandal'
(40 minutes later)
  
Prime Minister David Cameron is set to call for bars, supermarkets and the drinks industry in England to do more to help ensure responsible drinking.Prime Minister David Cameron is set to call for bars, supermarkets and the drinks industry in England to do more to help ensure responsible drinking.
On a visit to a hospital in north-east England, he will promise to tackle the "scandal" of drunkenness and alcohol abuse that costs the NHS £2.7bn a year.On a visit to a hospital in north-east England, he will promise to tackle the "scandal" of drunkenness and alcohol abuse that costs the NHS £2.7bn a year.
He is set to suggest the use of US-inspired "drunk tanks", cells to house people overnight while they sober up.He is set to suggest the use of US-inspired "drunk tanks", cells to house people overnight while they sober up.
The government will publish its alcohol strategy for England later this year.The government will publish its alcohol strategy for England later this year.
A ban on the sale of alcohol below cost price - less than the tax paid on it - is set to be introduced in England and Wales from 6 April.A ban on the sale of alcohol below cost price - less than the tax paid on it - is set to be introduced in England and Wales from 6 April.
But ministers are expected to go further in the forthcoming strategy, recommending a higher minimum price for drink.But ministers are expected to go further in the forthcoming strategy, recommending a higher minimum price for drink.
'Costs jobs''Costs jobs'
Scotland has already introduced an Alcohol Bill, which could become law before the summer, although ministers have yet to set a minimum cost per unit.Scotland has already introduced an Alcohol Bill, which could become law before the summer, although ministers have yet to set a minimum cost per unit.
But opponents of a minimum unit price say it is unfair because it penalises all drinkers, not just those who cause or have problems.But opponents of a minimum unit price say it is unfair because it penalises all drinkers, not just those who cause or have problems.
It is thought any move could also be open to legal challenges relating to European competition law, which - according to the European Commission - is aimed at pushing down prices for consumers and allowing firms to operate in a free market.It is thought any move could also be open to legal challenges relating to European competition law, which - according to the European Commission - is aimed at pushing down prices for consumers and allowing firms to operate in a free market.
The British Beer and Pub Association said there was "a danger it would be done through higher taxation, which would be hugely damaging to pub-goers, community pubs and brewers, costing thousands of vital jobs".The British Beer and Pub Association said there was "a danger it would be done through higher taxation, which would be hugely damaging to pub-goers, community pubs and brewers, costing thousands of vital jobs".
During his hospital visit, the prime minister is expected to criticise the "reckless" behaviour of an "irresponsible" minority and cite figures suggesting alcohol-related costs to society may total between £17bn and £22bn a year.During his hospital visit, the prime minister is expected to criticise the "reckless" behaviour of an "irresponsible" minority and cite figures suggesting alcohol-related costs to society may total between £17bn and £22bn a year.
'Sense of respect''Sense of respect'
He will say the last decade has seen a "frightening growth" in the number of people who think it is "acceptable for people to get drunk in public in ways that wreck lives, spread fear and increase crime", many of them under the legal drinking age.He will say the last decade has seen a "frightening growth" in the number of people who think it is "acceptable for people to get drunk in public in ways that wreck lives, spread fear and increase crime", many of them under the legal drinking age.
Figures suggest alcohol abuse costs accident and emergency services £1bn.Figures suggest alcohol abuse costs accident and emergency services £1bn.
Mr Cameron will promise to help the NHS "rise to the challenge", including putting more police on patrol in hospitals.Mr Cameron will promise to help the NHS "rise to the challenge", including putting more police on patrol in hospitals.
"We need innovative solutions to confront the rising tide of unacceptable behaviour," he is expected to say."We need innovative solutions to confront the rising tide of unacceptable behaviour," he is expected to say.
"This isn't just about more rules and regulation. It's about responsibility and a sense of respect for others.""This isn't just about more rules and regulation. It's about responsibility and a sense of respect for others."
Mr Cameron will urge the drinks industry, supermarkets, pubs and clubs to work with the government to ensure that "responsible drinking becomes a reality and not just a slogan".Mr Cameron will urge the drinks industry, supermarkets, pubs and clubs to work with the government to ensure that "responsible drinking becomes a reality and not just a slogan".
Henry Ashworth, chief executive of the Portman Group which represents drinks producers, said his members were "determined to be effective partners in tackling public drunkenness, which is an embarrassment to us all".Henry Ashworth, chief executive of the Portman Group which represents drinks producers, said his members were "determined to be effective partners in tackling public drunkenness, which is an embarrassment to us all".
Simon Antrobus, chief executive of alcohol treatment charity Addaction, said that while it was important to ensure drinks retailers took more responsibility, properly-funded support for charities helping problem drinkers was also vital.Simon Antrobus, chief executive of alcohol treatment charity Addaction, said that while it was important to ensure drinks retailers took more responsibility, properly-funded support for charities helping problem drinkers was also vital.
"Addressing the root cause of someone's problems is, in our professional experience, the most effective way to tackle their drinking," he said."Addressing the root cause of someone's problems is, in our professional experience, the most effective way to tackle their drinking," he said.
Labour has already indicated it also backs minimum pricing. A Labour Party spokesman said cuts to police numbers meant it was becoming "harder, not easier, to tackle problem drinkers".
He added: "We await the government's delayed alcohol strategy with interest, which must deal with minimum pricing, but the attack on the police launched by the Tory-led government is an unfolding scandal in every community across England and Wales."