Andy Burnham’s backing of higher taxes and stricter regulations on alcohol has drawn criticism from the pub industry, which warns these measures could pose significant challenges for businesses already under pressure.

During his tenure as mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham has advocated for a 65p minimum unit price for alcohol, alongside increases in duty rates and restrictions on alcohol availability. The region’s Alcohol Harms Strategy, planned for implementation by 2030, includes proposals such as a “minimum non-alcohol spend” in retail outlets, requiring customers to purchase a minimum amount of other goods when buying alcohol, as well as limiting the hours during which alcohol sales are permitted.

Many elements of the Greater Manchester strategy mirror recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO), which has called for governments to increase alcohol duty by at least 50 percent by 2025. This aligns with a broader public health goal to reduce alcohol-related harm by making alcohol less affordable and accessible.

However, representatives from the pub sector have expressed concern that broad tax hikes and pricing policies will impact all consumers, rather than effectively targeting those who drink harmfully. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, argued that measures should be more precisely focused on problem drinkers to avoid penalizing the majority who consume alcohol responsibly.

Pubs have been facing a range of financial pressures, including rising business rates and job-related taxes introduced by the Labour government. The pub trade fears that significant increases in duty rates, such as those proposed by the WHO, would further depress sales. To illustrate, the current duty on a pint of 5 percent lager is 54 pence; a 50 percent increase would add approximately 27 pence to that cost. An increase in the value-added tax (VAT) on alcohol above the current 20 percent would further raise prices.

Minimum unit pricing, which sets a floor price for a unit of alcohol, is expected to primarily affect cheaper alcoholic beverages, such as lower-cost beers sold in supermarkets and off-licenses. For instance, a 440ml can of 4 percent lager would have a minimum price of £1.14, translating to about £4.56 for a four-pack.

Burnham has supported minimum unit pricing for more than a decade, dating back to his time as health secretary in 2010. While he has not publicly responded to recent concerns from the pub industry, the debate highlights ongoing tensions between public health objectives and the economic realities facing the hospitality sector.