Government tries to curb alcohol 'pre-loading'

The government is proposing a minimum price of 40p per unit of alcohol in England and Wales in an effort to stamp out binge drinking.

Home Secretary Theresa May said the proposal would not affect responsible pubs or drinkers. But she said that the plan was to stop people "pre-loading" on alcohol at home before they went out to the pub.

The drinks industry has said the plans are misguided and would hit consumers hard.

Similar proposals are already being considered by the Scottish Parliament.