Alcohol

Lord Skelmersdale Excerpts

Tuesday 6th December 2016 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

My Lords, the PHE alcohol evidence review certainly talked about reducing the affordability of alcohol being one of the most effective, and cost-effective, ways of reducing alcohol harm. Back in 2013, the coalition Government pledged to look at minimum unit pricing. We will keep it under review in the light of the outcome of the Scottish case. I also concur with what the noble Baroness said about the developing brain. The overuse of both alcohol and cannabis has been shown to have very serious consequences for mental health.

[Lord Skelmersdale (Con)]

My Lords, does minimum pricing of alcohol not impact most unfairly on those on social security benefits?

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

It certainly impacts most on cheaper alcohol which is, by its nature, more likely to be consumed by those in the lower socioeconomic groups.