Prime Minister David Cameron promises to tackle cheap alcohol

David Cameron has promised to introduce a “package of measures” to tackle cheap alcohol despite failing to include minimum pricing in Wednesday’s Queen’s Speech.

Asked about the issue during a debate on the Queen’s Speech in Parliament, the Prime Minister said: “On minimum pricing for alcohol, it is important that we take action to deal with deeply discounted alcohol, with cans of lager sometimes selling for as little as 25p in supermarkets.

“We will be bringing forward a package of measures, and it is important that we get this right.”

Meanwhile, speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt insisted that the Government "has not made a decision" on minimum pricing. “Just because something is not in the Queen’s Speech does not mean the Government can’t bring it forward as law," Hunt said.

He said the legal action against minimum pricing in Scotland meant it was not possible to consider what steps to take in time for the Queen's Speech.