Labour U-turn over minimum alcohol price

Government policy over cheap alcohol was in disarray today after Health Secretary Andy Burnham appeared to back a radical plan to increase prices.

He said some drink was "ludicrously cheap", sparking accusations that Labour is backing a minimum price for beer, wine and spirits.

Downing Street also appeared to open the door for the policy after the election by saying it would not be sensible to introduce it "at this stage".

The idea of a minimum price for alcohol, possibly 50p a unit, was floated by Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson last year to tackle bingeing and anti-social behaviour. Gordon Brown dismissed it at the time, claiming he did not want to penalise "moderate drinkers".

But Mr Burnham today fuelled rumours of a Cabinet split on the issue when he insisted the public's "mood has changed".

"We need to balance the rights of people who drink responsibly with those who buy ludicrously cheap booze and cause harm," he said.

Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Labour are in a mess on this. It would penalise the many who drink responsibly rather than target the few problem drinkers."