MEASURE FOR MEASURE SUCCESS! Government Commits To Introducing A  Minimum Unit Price for Alcohol

In its recently published Alcohol Strategy the UK Government has finally acknowledged the seriousness of alcohol-related harm in the UK and committed to introducing a minimum unit price in England and Wales (similar policies are already being pursued in Scotland and Ireland).

Many thanks to all those who wrote to their MPs to call for action against alcohol remaining too cheap and too strong. The Measure For Measure¹ campaign has shown the depth of public feeling about problem drinking and the churches. Recent Government research states that a 40p minimum unit price has the potential to:

• cost moderate drinkers (i.e. those that drink within recommended limits) £5-£6 extra per year, average drinkers £21-£23 per years, but heavy drinkers (men who exceed 50 units or women who exceed 35 units) £105-£135
• prevent 50,000 crimes per year and save 9,000 lives over 10 years

But Teresa May has indicated that a higher unit price may be needed. The Government will soon begin a consultation around the appropriate minimum unit price. Please return to this page regularly for current information about the Alcohol Strategy and current research into pricing.

Find out more; Find resources to use in your church
Take other action; Keep in touch; Other links

About The Measure For Measure Campaign

Our country has a drink problem:

• Alcohol costs the NHS £2.7 billion in England and law enforcement agencies £13 billion in England and Wales
• Between 1.3 and 2.6 million children are affected by parental problem drinking
• 61% of adults feel that excessive drinking is a problem where they live

The Measure For Measure campaign is supported by The Methodist Church in Britain, The United Reformed Church, The Baptist Union of Great Britain, The Church of England, Quaker Action on Alcohol and Drugs, The Christian Nightlife Initiative, Street Angels and The Evangelical Alliance. It continues to call for an effective minimum unit price for alcohol and to challenge a culture where drink has become too strong, too affordable, too available and too heavily marketed.

CAMPAIGN RESOURCES
Measure for Measure briefing
FAQs on per unit minimum pricing
Detailed briefing
Church housegroup resources
Article for Church newsletters
Open letter to David Cameron