A coalition of national Churches and Charities has written to the Prime Minister David Cameron asking him to introduce a minimum unit price on all alcohol sold in Britain.

The Government’s alcohol strategy is expected to be announced later this month.

Mr. Cameron has indicated that he may be willing to introduce a minimum price of 40 – 50 pence per unit on alcohol, but the group is worried that these plans may be dropped under pressure from the drinks industry.

A survey conducted in December last year revealed that 61% of UK adults believe that excessive drinking is a problem (from minor to major) in their neighbourhood. The survey commissioned by the Methodist Church, United Reformed Church and Baptist Union of Great Britain asked people to judge the effects of alcohol on the area within walking distance from their home, or where they use local facilities.

“We believe that action on pricing must form the central element in the Alcohol Strategy which your Government is due to publish in February,” the Churches and Charities say in the letter. “There are various factors involved in problem drinking, but numerous studies have shown that price is the key determinant. Unless you include strong action on per unit pricing, other measures such as a ban on below-cost sales, a special tax on strong beers or a voluntary code for advertising are likely to be inadequate.”

As part of the ‘Measure for Measure’ campaign, the group is also encouraging individuals to write to their MPs, highlighting the problems caused by cheap alcohol in their local area and asking them to support per unit minimum pricing.