They're out to get us

Mandatory schemes would ramp up costs

The Government wants voluntary schemes such as Challenge 21 and the code on responsible drinks promotions made mandatory.

Trade chiefs fear this means more overbearing regulation and cost for pubs. But they welcomed calls to target parents and children.

The new Youth Alcohol Action Plan wants to "improve" the trade's Alcohol Social Responsibility Standards document, "with a view to making it mandatory". It combines best practice, including the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) drinks promotions code, which promotes Challenge 21 and urges against certain promotions.

The Action Plan says it's "right that all licensed premises comply with the law and operate to a set of standards promoting best practice."

A BBPA spokesman said: "There are so many laws and regulations, no-one in enforcement knows what exists and how and when to use it. Any lurch towards more legislation will add to confusion and costs.

"When the Government starts to meddle, the inevitable result is muddle."

Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers chief executive Nick Bish calculated it would cost pubs £8.5m in lost productivity for staff to maintain Challenge 21 if it became a legal requirement. He said: "We deplore any measure of compulsion when there's so much legislation there to be used already."

Any action is unlikely to occur before the KPMG report into how the Alcohol Social Responsibility Standards document has worked. The MA understands this is currently with ministers, but has yet to be released.

The Action Plan also re-affirmed the Government's commitment to sting operations. It vows to work with councils to implement local stings and "encourage" voluntary test purchases.

Home Office minister Vernon Coaker said stings were a "key part" of the battle.

The Action Plan also says the Home Office will "encourage" tougher sanctions for breaching licence conditions, and "support" police, councils and communities to identify "problem hotspots".

Planned action on kids includes a new offence of persistently possessing alcohol in public and new dispersal powers. FLVA boss Tony Payne agreed it's a step in the right direction but urged Government to carry it through.

n Additional reporting by Andrew Pring