Minimum unit pricing for alcohol should be introduced across the UK if it proves a success in Scotland, a Lords committee has urged.

If the decision of the Holyrood parliament to introduce a 50p base level for alcohol units survives legal challenges, and is shown to be effective in cutting down excessive drinking, it needs to be rolled out nationwide, the Lords Select Committee on the Licensing Act 2003 has stated.

Peers have also called for a major overhaul of how licensing decisions are made after hearing evidence that some councillors were guilty of a “scandalous misuse” of their powers.

The committee called for the Licensing Act to be redrawn in order to abolish local authority licensing committees, and hand their role to planning watchdogs at councils instead.

Source and more information: http://files.heraldscotland.com/news/15201665.Minimum_unit_pricing_for_alcohol_should_be_introduced_across_UK_if_successful_in_Scotland/

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