City lands extra cash for fight to cut binge drinking

Wakefield has been handed a £90,000 Government grant for new projects designed to offer education and alternative entertainment to young people in the city, including bowling, film clubs and a series of alcohol-free discos.

The funding announcement comes amid ongoing concern about the level of binge drinking across Britain.

The Scottish Government yesterday unveiled plans for a 50p per unit minimum price for alcohol to help tackle drink-related illness north of the border.

The move would take the cost of a 70cl bottle of vodka to no less than £13.13, it said. Four 440ml cans of super-strength lager would increase to a minimum of £7.92. A bottle of wine would be sold for no less than £4.69.

The Scottish proposals look certain to be mirrored in England and Wales later this year after David Cameron signalled his support for minimum pricing – although Whitehall documents have used a 40p-per-unit price as their guide.

Meanwhile local councils, police authorities and NHS trusts will work together to tackle binge drinking through grassroots projects such as those handed funding by the Government’s Champion for Active Safer Communities, Baroness Newlove, yesterday.

Baroness Newlove – whose husband, Garry, was beaten to death by a gang of youths outside his home in Warrington – said she had received more than 100 applications.

“I am delighted the fund was 10-times oversubscribed, but not really surprised,” she said.

“I have always believed there is a seam of active citizens prepared and willing to work at creating safer, happier communities together with the agencies there to help them. This response proves it.

“We shall mine these wonderful examples of fresh ideas and local solutions to tackle alcohol misuse and the crime and blight that follows. In two years these areas will be transformed.”

Chief Superintendent Marc Callaghan, Wakefield District Police Divisional Commander, said: “Baroness Newlove understands how passionate we are about working together to make a real difference in local communities. This is a fantastic opportunity.”