Pub bosses call on David Cameron to stick with minimum price plan for alcohol

Chief executives from 12 pub chains have written a letter urging the Prime Minister to continue with plans for minimum pricing of alcohol.

Pub heavyweights including Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand, Bateman's Brewery managing director Stuart Bateman and Luminar chief executive Peter Marks said in a letter to The Telegraph that a 45p per unit minimum price would "save lives, save money and protect British pubs".

Prime Minister David Cameron is keen to push through the plans despite rumours of pressure inside the Government to shelve them.

The letter said the scrapping of the beer duty escalator and the duty cut of 1p per pint was welcome, and that minimum pricing "will encourage responsible drinking".

It said: "We urge the Government to stick to its plans to introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol, to address the costs to society of irresponsible alcohol sale and consumption, and to encourage drinkers back into pubs and clubs."

But others have voiced opposition to the plans. Stonegate boss Ian Payne warned last year that minimum pricing could spell "disaster" for pubs as it opened up the opportunity to Government to raise the minimum price much higher.

Meanwhile in Scotland, the Scottish National Party has been attempting to introduce minimum pricing since 2009. An act was passed in May 2012 for a minimum price of 50p per unit which received royal assent but is being challenged by wine producing countries in the EU and in Scottish courts by two trade bodies, the Scotch Whisky Association and the European Spirits Association.

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