Pubs forced to show health info

The Government wants to force pubs to display health and unit information at the point of sale in the next stage of its booze crackdown.

And fears are growing over the future of spirit measures after the Government hints that it's just a matter of time before 35ml servings are outlawed.

The plans are buried in the Home Office's announcement on the mandatory alcohol retailing code, released last week, which sets a timetable for banning certain drinks deals among other stringent measures.

The final paragraph says: "The next steps for the display of UK unit and health information at the point of sale, and for small, specified spirit measures, are under careful consideration."

The action is being taken by the Department of Health, which is "mindful of the need to fully consider the impacts of new regulation on businesses".

Providing beer, wine and spirits in smaller measures will be compulsory from 1 October under the mandatory code. But the size of the spirit servings has not been specified and this issue is being taken up by the Department of Health.

The Home Office highlights a Government-commissioned Ipsos MORI public survey showing the "majority of the public" don't understand the rules on spirit measures, where licensees can serve in either 25ml or 35ml sizes.

It continues: "The Government is carefully considering the timetable for implementing a change to the relevant Weights and Measures legislation". However, it will take "full account of the potential impact on business".

It says that while the trade favour the status quo, "there was strong public support for a move to use only the 25ml measure".

But British Beer & Pub Association director of communications Mark Hastings pointing out that the majority merely back choice. Feedback on this condition found "many members of the public and licensing authorities think that smaller measures should be available".

Hastings said: "The consultation responses make clear there is no mandate for a single measure. What people say they want is choice and that is what we want also."

Under the mandatory code, pubs will be banned from running drinks deals such as all-inclusives and the "dentist's chair", and must offer free tap water, from 6 April.

Asking ID from anyone who appears underage and offering the smaller drinks measures will be compulsory from 1 October. The measures are subject to Parliamentary approval.

Tough talk on supermarkets​

The Department of Health has given another indication that it wants to tackle cheap alcohol in supermarkets.

Earlier this month Health Secretary Andy Burnham said a minimum pricing should be in Labour's election manifesto, although Gordon Brown ruled out the move.

But a Department of Health spokeswoman said this week: "We are determined to take action on cheap alcohol and continue to look at issues around price."

She highlighted action taken against on-trade deals like all-inclusives and added: "We will continue to look at how we can tackle the problems caused by cheap alcohol."