UK supermarkets back responsibility deal

Seven of the UK’s supermarket giants have backed the government’s controversial responsibility deal.

Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, The Co-operative and Asda have all signed up to the plan that will see a move towards increased awareness of alcohol units on drinks and donations towards regional programmes aimed at tackling alcohol abuse.

The deal between the government and the food and drink industries also aims to set out voluntary agreements on labelling and advertising.

Asda has pledged not to promote alcohol at the front of store and has promised to invest £1 million in community youth projects.

Andy Clarke, chief executive of Asda said: "Our pledge to remove alcohol from the entrance of our store is part of our broader health agenda and is another small but important step towards creating a new way of selling alcohol at Asda.

"We stand ready to play a leading role by working alongside the government to tackle alcohol misuse in the UK."

However, Alcohol Concern, the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Physicians and the British Liver Trust all refuse to support the deal, saying the measures are not far-reaching enough and will make little impact on harmful drinking.

Lucy Shaw, 21.03.2011