Coaker calls for partnership with industry

Home office minister Vernon Coaker has urged a partnership approach to tackling underage sales and alcohol related disorder.

Speaking at The Publican Conference this morning he said the government must work with the licensed trade to fight these problems, which were caused by a "minority of premises".

He also argued that tackling disorder and binge-drinking was not just the responsibility of the pub trade, as individuals must take responsibility for their own actions.

Coaker said he recognised the problems faced by staff on the front line but "the role of the personal licence holders and designated premises supervisors is critical in ensuring the safe management of premises."

He praised the trade for taking the initiative with the introduction of Challenge 21 and No ID No Sale in tackling underage sales.

The minister also attempted to alleviate the trade concerns about Alcohol Disorder Zones arguing he expects there to be "very few" and they should be a "last resort".

Following Coaker, former Home Secretary David Blunkett admitted to conference host James Naughtie that the Licensing Act wasn't "joined up" when first debated.

"When Tessa Jowell and I sat down with the industry in 2004 we didn't look at the broader trends. There was a huge bulge in the number of younger people drinking, lower employment and greater affluence."

Drinking became the centre of a media whirlpool, he said, "to which governments naturally respond by jumping", he added.

However, the industry was improving, said Blunkett, with "the best of the trade handling the Act's implementation and anti-binge drinking measures extremely well".