Rowen signs motion against alcohol sales

Paul Rowen MP

Paul Rowen, MP for Rochdale, has signed a motion in the House of Commons on off-trade alcohol sales, which recognises that the selling of super cheap alcohol adds to alcohol harm.

The motion notes that supermarkets' selling of super-cheap alcohol in bulk volumes significantly adds to alcohol harm in the UK and calls on the Government urgently to tackle deep discounting and below-cost selling in the off-trade. The motion highlights the important role supermarkets have to play in reducing alcohol harm.

Alcohol misuse in the North West costs the NHS £400 million per year and has been estimated to be a significant factor in 30,000 to 40,000 deaths per year. Public houses are struggling, with supermarket competition contributing to the closure of 39 pubs a week; leading to 24,000 job losses in the sector in 2009.

Mr Rowen recently exposed the problem of alcohol fraud in the UK, which is costing the Treasury an estimated £1 billion a year. Mr Rowen secured a Westminster Hall debate on the issue in February, and focused on the need for tougher action by HM Revenue and Customs to deal with illicit alcohol supply chains.

Treasury Minister Sarah McCarthy-Fry MP recognised that alcohol fraud is a serious issue affecting public revenue and the livelihoods of honest businesses, and assured Mr Rowen that HM Revenue and Customs would act on the information he had made available during the debate.