Alcohol Strategy Consultation Debate

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Department: Home Office

Alcohol Strategy Consultation

Kevin Barron Excerpts
Wednesday 17th July 2013

(11 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jeremy Browne Portrait Mr Browne
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Unsurprisingly, I accept my right hon. Friend’s point. Problems due to excessive alcohol consumption, especially at evenings and weekends, are much more pronounced in some parts of the country than others, which is because some towns have shown more imagination and initiative on dealing with social problems. However, those towns with particular problems have powers through which they can raise their game, so I hope that they will use them effectively.

Kevin Barron Portrait Mr Kevin Barron (Rother Valley) (Lab)
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Sunday’s edition of The Observer reported that the Faculty of Public Health had withdrawn from the Government’s responsibility deal. It has followed many other organisations, including Alcohol Concern. The president of the faculty, Professor John Ashton, said that many of his members would

“conclude that the government’s policies are putting the interests of industry ahead of improving people’s health.”

He is right, is he not?