Drinkaware has overhauled its board, resolved to forge stronger relationships with the health lobby and pledged to become more independent from the drinks industry after a damning audit. An independent investigation decided that the charity, which is funded by the drinks industry, was perceived as enjoying too cosy a relationship with its paymasters. It also said Drinkaware must put more emphasis on ensuring its work…

Health bosses are pushing for a ban on any new off-licences bigger than 40 square metres across the Highlands. The Highlands Licensing Board is consulting on whether there is “overprovision” of alcohol in the region and the NHS wants to limit the number of off-licences. The Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership told the board in its submission that off-trade sales “account increasingly for the vast…

A research firm has suggested minimum unit pricing on alcohol would be unpopular and ineffective after its survey revealed the public would prefer cigarettes and fatty food to be targeted by the NHS. Mruk Research polled 1,508 adults on what the Government should do to improve public health and minimum unit pricing finished last with just 6% of the votes. Thirty-seven per cent instead wanted…

If alcohol were to be outlawed in the UK, 2.2 million people would be out of work and there would be a £16.3 billion hole in the chancellor’s tax revenues. It would be enough to make George Osborne need a stiff drink – he likes a tipple, if staged pictures of him enjoying a pint in virtually every pub in Britain after scrapping the duty…

Researchers urged the Government to ban alcohol firms from sponsoring football matches after finding armchair fans are bombarded by more than 100 images of beer, wine and spirits every hour. The study was conducted by Newcastle University in conjunction with the NHS, and the team analysed six matches spread over 18 hours and 21 minutes on the BBC, ITV and Sky. In that time there…

A clearer picture is emerging of the government’s attitude to minimum pricing. And what is clear is that ministers are confused. To mask that confusion they hide behind the forthcoming consultation on the process which will include deciding whether to do it all. David Cameron was never keen on a minimum price for alcohol, but bowed to pressure to include a consideration of it in…

Cameron is to meet with NHS officials at a hospital in the north-east. He said excessive alcohol consumption costs the NHS £2.7bn a year. A statement on the Prime Minister’s website said: “Figures today show an ever-growing bill to the NHS which currently stands at £2.7bn a year, including £1bn on accident and emergency services. £2.7bn equates to £90 for every taxpayer. This is part…