Greene King boss calls for government review on booze pricing

Greene King's chief executive has weighed into the debate over alcohol pricing, calling for a government review.

Rooney Anand has called on David Cameron's coalition government to "urgently review minimum pricing and below cost price sales, particularly in the run up to the World Cup where supermarkets are again already offering cheap deals on bulk buys of alcohol".

Anand said excessive drinking by what he called a "minority of alcohol consumers" was being fuelled by its availability at "heavily discounted prices", bought in the off-trade.

While tax changes might address some of the issues, Anand believed the government should "explore further the minimum pricing route".

This, he said, "would ensure that the pensioner enjoying a glass of sherry would not be penalised, nor lovers of ale who want to enjoy a pint or two in their local or in the comfort of their own homes".

Responsible retailers should have nothing to fear, he added.

Anand's comments came as Tesco rejected claims it was being hypocritical over its alcohol pricing stance.

The supermarket chain had backed calls for a crackdown on cheap price deals, while selling two cases of beer for £16 in the run-up to the World Cup.