An influential cross party committee of MPs has recommended the UK Government follow the Scottish Government's lead and adopt a minimum price for alcohol in a major report out today.

The House of Commons Select Committee acknowledged the crippling effect of alcohol on society and said that imposing a minimum price could save up to 3000 lives a year. The report "flatly rejects as a myth" the suggestion that minimum pricing would unfairly affect moderate drinkers.

Releasing the report, Committee Chair and senior Labour MP, Rt Hon Kevin Barron said: "The facts about alcohol misuse are shocking. Successive governments have failed to tackle the problem and it is now time for bold government."

Mr Barron continued: "...what is required is fundamental cultural change brought about by evidence-based policies."

The recommendation was welcomed by SNP MP for Glasgow East John Mason. Mr Mason called on Members of the Scottish Parliament currently opposing similar measures in the Scottish Government's Alcohol Bill to follow the lead of their UK counterparts and back this crucial legislation.

Mr Mason said: "This report drives a coach and horses through the arguments of those opposing the SNP's minimum pricing proposals.

"Opposition politicians in the UK Parliament recognise minimum pricing is a practical approach to tackling our problem relationship with booze. Their colleagues in the Scottish Parliament must follow this lead and back the SNP's proposals.

"Support for minimum pricing is growing with health and police chiefs recognising that it is the right thing to do.

"The 3,000 deaths, 42,000 hospital stays, and 110,000 GP visits linked to alcohol annually are causing misery for families and communities, burdening our public services and sapping Scotland's economic potential. Minimum pricing of alcohol is a workable and evidence based approach to tackling this huge problem.

"Just as the smoking ban did, this issue must unite the Scottish Parliament - not divide it. Scotland's public health must be above opposition for opposition's sake."

Notes:

1. The following MPs are members of the House of Commons Health Committee:

• Rt Hon Kevin Barron (Labour)
  
• Charlotte Atkins (Labour)
  
• Peter Bone (Conservative)
  
• Jim Dowd (Labour)
  
• Sandra Gidley (Liberal Democrats)
  
• Stephen Hesford (Labour)
  
• Dr Doug Naysmith (Labour)
  
• Mr Lee Scott (Conservative)
  
• Dr Howard Stoate (Labour)
  
• Robert Syms (Conservative)
  
• Dr Richard Taylor (Independent)

2. The SNP's minimum pricing proposals are widely supported by a number of agencies including all four chief medical officers, the Royal College of Physicians, senior police and the licensed trade as well as opposition politicians in the Welsh Assembly and two former Scottish Labour Health Ministers. For more information see here.

3. The Committee's report can be accessed here.