Tackling Booze Britain

10th November 2008

Drinks retailers who sell alcohol to children should be given no second chances, according to a new Liberal Democrat policy document.

The "one strike and you're out" proposal is one of several policies outlined in the Lib Dems' Tackling Booze Britain document, published today.

The party said that the introduction of their policy was "inevitable" following the publication of today's Home Affairs Select Committee report, which calls for a crackdown on binge drinking.

Leader Nick Clegg said: "The government's failure to tackle the alcohol misuse in this country has left many of our town centres as no-go areas on Friday and Saturday nights.

"We cannot afford to ignore the impact that this problem is having on many people's lives.

"These proposals will increase funding for treatment of people with a drink problem, force retailers to sell alcohol responsibly, and ensure that those people who cannot handle alcohol responsibly are held to account.

He added: "We need a radical new approach to the alcohol related problems in this country. Parents, young people, and the alcohol industry must all play their part if we're to have any hope of dealing with the country's binge drinking culture.

"Ministers have spent years ignoring this growing problem. It's time action was taken to tackle this now."