Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Raise the Bar

Cabinet Secretary of Justice Scotland, Kenny McAskill, MSP, key note speaker at today's Bar Scotland Show in Edinburgh spoke of his vision for managing alcohol consumption in Scotland for the benefit of the nation's health, public finances, and generally in the public interest. He said that "alcohol misuse-not use" has a detrimental effect on the healthcare system and costs. He was pleased to see that the transition period to the new licensing regime is progressing "smoothly" which contrasted with the panel session earlier where many on the panel and in the audience expressed their concerns at the inconsistencies in policies and decisions of licensing boards across Scotland.

The subject of the proposed Social Responsibility Levy was also debated in an earlier Question Time style Strategy Session. The general consensus on the panel was that social responsibility should really lie with the individuals abusing alcohol and not just the licence trade. Mr. McAskill stated that the imposition of such a levy on the licence trade was some way off with a "number of issues still to be fleshed out". He informed the audience that the government will take the current economic situation into account and that a social responsibility levy would not be imposed "until the economy warms up".

The Cabinet Secretary expressed his concern on the growing trend of more people opting to drink at home rather than go out. He said that this is obviously the cause of the "irresponsible" cheap pricing of alcohol in supermarkets. As a result more alcohol is consumed at home than would be the case if people went out to pubs and clubs where they would be drinking alcohol in a controlled environment and where it would be more expensive. (So, state control appears to be the motivating force here). Mr. McAskill said "alcohol should not be cheaper than a bottle of water". He said that high strength alcohol at cheap prices has to stop so that health problems can be reduced. Home drinking is more of a problem than the pubs and clubs. Mr McAskill quoted the Strathclyde Police who have named a certain well known brand of bottled beer as "wife beater". He wants a "radical new approach" with clear mechanisms in place and would prefer to see people going out and enjoying a social drink in pubs, cafes, clubs and restaurants, rather than drinking heavily at home.

He remained committed to bringing in a minimum pricing regime but now by a different legislative route. He talked of the need to persuade the public, colleagues and parliament on the benefits to the nation's health from minimum pricing. £2.25bn is the figure he put on the cost of alcohol misuse.

He was keen to point out that pubs are an important part of all communities whether urban or rural and recognises the "difficult journey" the licence trade has to undertake in the current economic climate. He would like to see a vibrant pub trade where people can go to enjoy a drink whether it be a coffee, soft drink or alcohol - not places where people will abuse or consume alcohol as quickly as possible.

When I asked if the government have comparative data from other countries where minimum pricing may already have been introduced as a possible tool to "persuade, educate and change the culture" Mr. McAskill replied that there is comparative data from places such as Canada and the Scandinavian countries, but they do not have the same level of abuse as we do in Scotland.
Do you think minimum pricing should be imposed on alcohol?
Disclaimer: the contents of this blog are not intended form the basis of legal advice. Independent legal advice should be taken from your own solicitor for all cases.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

New Health & Safety Poster

The current version of the Health & Safety Poster has been revised by The Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Employers can now purchase copies of the HSE’s new health & safety poster (http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/lawposter.htm). The new posters, according to the HSE, are “modern, eye-catching and easy to read. They set out in simple terms, using numbered lists of basic points, what employers and workers must do, and tell you what to do if there is a problem.”

Under the Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations (HSIER) employers have a legal duty to display the poster in a prominent position in each workplace or provide each worker with a copy of the equivalent leaflet outlining British health and safety laws. In other words it is the employer's duty to ensure their employees are fully aware of workplace health & safety requirements. The leaflet that employers can give to workers, instead of displaying the poster, will be in the form of a pocket card that is better suited to the workplace.
The current poster and leaflet from 1999 are not visually attractive enough to prompt it to be read, according to recent research. There should be a significant benefit to employers and employees by increasing awareness and understanding of this area of law. The new design should also mean less admin work and cost for employers.

Existing versions of the poster and leaflet can be used for up to 5 years from the effective date of the new poster which came into existence on 6 April 2009 ie. until 5 April 2014 but only if they can be easily read and the relevant contact information is kept up to date. You can get this information from Infoline on 0845 345 0055.

As from 6 April 2009 only the new health & safety poster and new pocket cards are available to purchase.

Disclaimer: the contents of this blog are not intended form the basis of legal advice. Independent legal advice should be taken from your own solicitor for all cases.