The convenience sector has spoken out against claims it is to blame for a failure to cut the number of underage teenagers buying alcohol.
Recently released Home Office figures show the government's Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign (AMEC), which monitors sales of alcohol to under-18s, showed little improvement in purchasing failure rates compared with tests last Christmas.
The failure rate for test purchases carried out as part of AMEC starting in May 2006 was 21% for off licences, compared with 22% in winter 2005-06 and 36% in summer 2005.
Some government ministers have been quick to blame the convenience sector. Labour MP for Eltham Clive Efford called for a review of the level of fines for retailers found guilty of selling alcohol to those underage and specifically criticised small stores for not doing enough to tackle the problem.
But Shane Brennan, government relations manager at the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), defended the sector. He said: "It's frustrating to allow shorthand opinions from individual MPs to dominate the debate, because when you look at the figures for smaller stores they are showing good consistency. The supermarket figures differ only marginally."
The ACS recently met Home Office ministers to discuss the matter. Brennan added: "Our recent meetings have been more positive. We all share the frustration that there was no improvement in the figures. Home Office ministers have made it clear they don't want to see a levelling off and all the retailers involved agree."
Recently released Home Office figures show the government's Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign (AMEC), which monitors sales of alcohol to under-18s, showed little improvement in purchasing failure rates compared with tests last Christmas.
The failure rate for test purchases carried out as part of AMEC starting in May 2006 was 21% for off licences, compared with 22% in winter 2005-06 and 36% in summer 2005.
Some government ministers have been quick to blame the convenience sector. Labour MP for Eltham Clive Efford called for a review of the level of fines for retailers found guilty of selling alcohol to those underage and specifically criticised small stores for not doing enough to tackle the problem.
But Shane Brennan, government relations manager at the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), defended the sector. He said: "It's frustrating to allow shorthand opinions from individual MPs to dominate the debate, because when you look at the figures for smaller stores they are showing good consistency. The supermarket figures differ only marginally."
The ACS recently met Home Office ministers to discuss the matter. Brennan added: "Our recent meetings have been more positive. We all share the frustration that there was no improvement in the figures. Home Office ministers have made it clear they don't want to see a levelling off and all the retailers involved agree."
No comments yet