Cramlingtom mam backs renewed calls for minimum unit price in England

Wales is set to follow Scotland's lead in setting a minimum unit price to tackle excessive drinking

Author: Luke WilsonPublished 13th Mar 2018

Scotland's done it - Wales is now set to do it - so the question now is, will England commit to a minimum unit price.

That's the question being asked this morning as the Welsh government announces that minimum unit pricing will be a key part of its latest effort to tackle excessive alcohol consumption in the country.

Among those backing renewed calls for England to follow suit is Joanne Good, a Cramlington mam, who's daughter died after drinking cheap, strong cider.

Joanne's daughter, Megan, was just 16 when she died after drinking the cider at a New Year's Party in 2013.

Joanne said:

"It's not going to put prices up - I think people are scared because they think it's going to put prices up drastically, it's not. It's only going to affect the lower price band stuff.

"We need to look at our young and our vulnerable and as a society, we need to look after them.

"This has happened to me and it's wrecked my family, it's wrecked my life."

Welsh Health Secretary Vaughn Gething said:

"Wales, like so many other Western countries, has a problem with cheap, strong, readily available alcohol.

"Minimum unit pricing is not a silver bullet, but it will be a major new and important tool in our approach to reducing alcohol consumption."