Government expected to reveal plans for 45p minimum alcohol price and multi-buy ban

The Government is today expected to announce a consultation on setting a minimum alcohol price of 45p per unit in England and Wales.

Meanwhile, multi-buy booze offers in supermarkets would also be banned under the proposals.

The proposed minimum price is higher than the 40p originally mooted by Prime Minister David Cameron in April this year, although still lower than the 50p already agreed in Scotland.

The measures are aimed to curb binge drinking and anti social behaviour by raising the price of low-cost, high-alcohol drinks.

The move is unlikely to prove popular with the drinks industry, although it has largely been welcomed in the pubs sector. Writing in the Daily Mail yesterday, Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand said: "I believe a policy of minimum unit pricing, putting an end to recklessly cheap alcohol, represents an important starting point in a long-term change in our relationship with booze."

But others have voiced opposition to the plans. Stonegate boss Ian Payne warned earlier this year that minimum pricing could spell "disaster" for pubs as it opened up the opportunity to Government to raise the minimum price much higher.

Meanwhile, the scottish Government has been forced to postpone its plans to introduce a minimum price in the face of legal action from drinks producers, concerned that the measure goes against UK and EU trade laws.

Stonegate boss warns minimum pricing would spell ‘disaster' for pubs >>

Scottish Government postpones minimum pricing in face of legal action >>

Government accused of ‘moving the goalposts' over minimum pricing >>