Minister visits GM to back alcohol campaign

Home Office Minister Norman Baker MP visited Greater Manchester this week (Tuesday 30 September) to see how the region is cracking down on alcohol abuse.

The Crime Prevention Minister saw first-hand some of the innovative ways Greater Manchester is pulling together to promote responsible drinking and reduce the harm caused by alcohol.

Alcohol consumption costs Greater Manchester £1.2bn every year - that’s £436 for every person living in the region. Greater Manchester has been designated by the government as one of 20 new Local Alcohol Action Areas (LAAAs). 

The Greater Manchester alcohol strategy – a major effort to clamp down on alcohol abuse – was launched in August by the ten authorities of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). 

It is the first time ever in the UK that such a large number of public bodies have united to deal with the problems caused by alcohol harm.  The strategy focuses on making effective use of licensing powers, protecting victims of domestic abuse and improving awareness of the impact of drinking, in line with national objectives set by the government.

During his visit, Norman Baker MP met Cllr Mike Connolly, GMCA lead for the strategy and leader of Bury Council, and Jim Battle, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester.

He also met students at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), which is piloting a ground-breaking Alcohol Impact project funded by the Home Office.  MMU is one of seven universities working with the National Union of Students to encourage students to drink alcohol responsibly.

Norman Baker MP said: “We are working really hard to tackle this problem at government level so it is really pleasing to see ten local authorities coming together with their partners in the police and health
services to tackle alcohol abuse at a local level.  We need to find new ways of tackling these issues and I’m so pleased to see that the students here at MMU are teaming up to help too.  Only by working together in innovative ways will we succeed in changing our culture for the better.”

Cllr Mike Connolly, GMCA’s lead for the strategy, said: “We were pleased to welcome the Minister and for him to see the innovative and ground-breaking work which Greater Manchester is doing to beat the scourge of alcohol abuse.  It is crucial that our strategy has the support of students and young people.  Hopefully, through this kind of project, we can change attitudes, which will see young people have a good time while using alcohol responsibly.”

People battling with alcohol die earlier, go to hospital more often and struggle to hold down regular work.  Binge drinking also has a massive effect on town centres putting pressure on businesses and impacting on the safety of residents.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Jim Battle said: “Tackling the issue of alcohol abuse and binge drinking is everybody’s business. Not only can it lead to crime and disorder in our city centres, but it puts the health and wellbeing of individuals and the wider community at risk.

“Educating people on the impact of alcohol misuse is essential to addressing the issue so it’s great to
see the student community get on board with this and is an example of communities and partner agencies working together to encourage responsible drinking.”

Mary Heaney, MMU’s Director of Services, said the Alcohol Impact project was an innovative
culture change initiative “which exemplifies the University’s strong commitment to its neighbouring communities.”

She said: “The opportunity to join forces with our Students’ Union and our wider student community in developing a socially responsible alcohol culture reinforces our institutional commitment to being a good neighbour.  It will create benefits in relation to student health, academic achievement,
employability and community relations.”

The Alcohol Impact Project at Manchester Metropolitan University

The MMU students are helping deliver the National Union of Students (NUS) Alcohol Impact project, which is funded by the Home Office to change thebehaviour of students when it comes to binge drinking.

Steps under consideration by universities in the project are:

· Provide alcohol-free places and events for students to socialise

· Target sports clubs and societies to promote responsible drinking

· Stop Student Union bars from serving intoxicated customers

· Restrict advertising for alcohol on campus

If successful the university will gain an accreditation mark for responsible alcohol policy and practice.

ENDS

Issued: 1 October 2014.

Picture: Councillor Mike Connolly, leader of Bury Council, with Norman Baker MP and Jim
Battle, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester.

 All media enquiries should be directed to Wigan Council’s communications team, via c.dunbar@wigan.gov.uk or 01942 827722.

Notes to editors:

Greater Manchester was selected as one of 20 Local Alcohol Action Areas (LAAAs) by the Home Office and Public Health England. The LAAA project encourages joint work to tackle alcohol-related harms; and promote growth by establishing diverse and vibrant night-time economies.

The Greater Manchester alcohol strategy has been overseen by an appointed leaders group which is representative of the key partners of GMCA.  It is an important area of Greater Manchester’s growth and reform strategy.

The initial engagement work to develop the strategy has been far reaching and has included a public consultation, as well as involvement from Greater Manchester’s public sector partners, various voluntary and community sector organisations, and key alcohol trade representatives. 

The 20 national LAAAs are:  Blackpool, Croydon, Doncaster, Gloucester City, Gravesham, Greater
Manchester, Halton, Hastings, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Newham, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire county, Pembrokeshire, Scarborough, Slough, Southend on Sea, Stoke on Trent, Swansea, and Weston Super Mare. 

More information on Government’s Local Alcohol Action Areas can be found here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-alcohol-action-areas.