Alcohol: Minimum Pricing

Debate between Lord Turnberg and Lord Taylor of Holbeach

Wednesday 10th July 2013 Lords Chamber

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

The cost of alcohol to society is estimated at £21 billion, £11 billion of which is due to alcohol-related crime. These figures are part and parcel of the consideration the Government are giving to the issue.

[Lord Turnberg]

My Lords, there is a clear relationship between the price of alcohol and severe liver disease—we have known about that for ever—and the number of hospital admissions and deaths from liver disease are closely related to the price of alcohol. The Government can talk about it for a long time, but when will we see some action?

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

My Lords, the figure of 1.2 million admissions to hospital in 2011-12 in England speaks for itself.