Minimum pricing introduced

Plans to prevent alcohol being sold below the cost of duty and VAT are announced today.

The proposals will mean weak lager costs at least 38p, while a unit of beer must cost at least 21p.

These are significantly less than the 50p minimum price per unit backed by Sheffield University, Nice, the chief medical officer and the Commons' health select committee recently.

As a result the proposals are receiving criticism from alcohol campaigners, who say only one per cent of all drinks sold will be affected by the planned change.

David Cameron pledged to tackle the issue before the general election but many believe the plans unveiled today will not go far enough.