City Centre Lib Dems welcome plans to tackle booze problems (Cllr Marc Ramsbottom)

Cllr Marc Ramsbottom <info@marcramsbottom.org.uk>

City Centre Lib Dems welcome plans to tackle booze problems

November 12, 2008 5:23 PM

Lib Dems Stand Up for Resident Affected by Noise and Alcolhol related nuisance

Only the Liberal Democrats Stand Up for City Centre Residents Against Nuisance and Anti Social Behaviour caused by excess alcohol

Alcohol-related disorder in Manchester city centre could be tackled more effectively under new powers proposed by the Liberal Democrats. The plans to tackle binge drinking were launched by Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg MP on Monday 8th November.

Many residents complain about irresponsible licensees who sell cheap drinks to people already drunk, causing nuisance and anti social behaviour outside their homes.

Cllr Marc Ramsbottom said, "For too long, binge drinking has been causing problems in Manchester, and Labour's Licensing bosses have ignored the problem. I am pleased Nick Clegg has put forward these plans as I believe they will go a long way to tackling the binge drinking culture that is such a problem here."

The proposals, outlined in Tackling Booze Britain, include:

· Stop irresponsible drink promotions by introducing a minimum price for alcohol

· Put an end to the sale of alcohol to children by imposing a 'one strike and you're out' policy

· Protect Accident & Emergency staff by fining disruptive drunks in hospital A&E departments

Launching the proposals, Nick Clegg MP said, "The Government's failure to tackle the alcohol misuse in this country has left many of our town centres as no-go areas on Friday and Saturday nights.

"We cannot afford to ignore the impact that this problem is having on many people's lives.

"These proposals will increase funding for treatment of people with a drink problem, force retailers to sell alcohol responsibly, and ensure that those people who cannot handle alcohol responsibly are held to account.

"Following the publication of today's Home Affairs Select Committee report, these changes now become inevitable.

"We need a radical new approach to the alcohol related problems in this country. Parents, young people, and the alcohol industry must all play their part if we're to have any hope of dealing with the country's binge drinking culture.

"Ministers have spent years ignoring this growing problem. It's time action was taken to tackle this now."

A full copy of the proposals are available to download from this website.