A Times story has announced the Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has proposed to delay several new pieces of legislation including the mandatory code. The code, which has no set implementation date, tops the list of legislation to be halted due to the recession. Mandelson has reportedly identified the code as 'anti-business' and should therefore be put on hold until 2011 (ie after the General Election). The Times claimed to have obtained a letter from the Business Secretary in which he states:
“I support the approach that where measures appear without a planned implementation date — and on the assumption they are not planned for the near future — we commit to not imposing these measures until after April 2011."
Gordon Brown had earlier this year pledged to bring in the code in order to crack down on binge drinking and irresponsible promotions. The terms of the code were recently proposed for consultation, with measures including the banning of 'irresponsible promotions' and requirements on licensees to display unit information at point of sale. Consultation on the proposals closed just last month. Alcohol Concern recently reported significant support amongst public sector and health professionals, but sections of the industry have been outspoken in their opposition to the code.
Reactions to the news have already begun to provoke support from the pub trade and objection from health organisations. Our Life, a health campaigning organisation in the North West have have stated in a press release: "The government must stand firmly by its pledges to tackle binge drinking and alcohol harm. Such measures are hugely popular with the public."
A Home Office spokesperson said in respect of the implementation date:
“The enabling power for the code is contained in the Policing and Crime Bill currently going through Parliament. Until it has passed all its stages it is not possible to give a date when the code will come into effect.”
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