Alcohol causing 'avoidable deaths' says MP Sarah Wollaston

Health campaigners say signs that the government will drop plans for minimum pricing on alcohol in England and Wales are a disaster for public health.

The cabinet is said to be split on the issue, which was designed to tackle problem drinking.

The Scottish Parliament has already passed a law to introduce a minimum price.

Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston, a former GP, said cheap alcohol drinking was causing ''avoidable deaths''.