The Labour Party has pledged to review the evidence on minimum unit pricing if it secures a majority in the upcoming general election. It delivered its manifesto today and promised to address alcohol-related health problems, while ramping up addiction support services. “Alcoholic drinks will be labelled with clear health warnings,” it said. “We will review the evidence on minimum pricing.” Scotland introduced MUP last year…

The Responsibility Deal is teetering on a knife-edge and the drinks industry faces a series of tough battles after the general election, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association. Whatever the outcome of the election, the trade will probably be faced with a government that is increasingly keen to interfere in alcohol policy, the trade body warned. The Conservative party has not included the…

The drinks industry has hit back after the Labour Party promised a prohibitive assault on alcohol as part of its manifesto as the general election looms. In a paper published today, Labour promised a clampdown on alcohol advertising and “targeted action on high strength, low-cost alcohol”. It pledged to make public health a licensing objective, but the Wine and Spirit Trade Association said this…

The Association of Convenience Stores has welcomed a commitment from Labour leader Ed Milliband to reverse a hike in small business rates due in April 2015 and to freeze the levy the following year. In his speech to the party’s annual conference, Milliband said he wanted Labour to be “the party of small business”. He accused the government of reducing the tax burden on large…