COUNCILS across the North West could defy the government and press ahead with plans for minimum alcohol prices Health leaders in the region have grown frustrated at the government’s failure to bring in the measure, and are set to meet later this month to form a response.

Dominic Harrison, director of public health at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said there was ‘overwhelming evidence’ that raising the price per unit would have a beneficial effect on people’s health.

Authorities across the region have called on the government to fulfil its pledge of a minimum 50p unit price, with Blackburn with Darwen Council set to pass a formal motion tomorrow.

But when asked whether councils could forge ahead with the plan on a regional basis, Mr Harrison said: “It’s a discussion that’s under way.

“There’s a conference coming up in Liverpool on November 20, which will look at that.

“It would be for the elected members to decide but my personal advice would be supportive of that.

“We’ve allowed alcohol to become so much cheaper and more available, but it’s a principle driver of violence and a massive cause of avoidable hospital admissions.”

He likened the potential move to that made by Liverpool City Council in 2004, when members agreed to ban smoking in certain public areas, which then helped persuade ministers to back a national ban.

Cheap alcohol is one of the key targets in Mr Harrison’s first major report, which was published last week.

He has called on politicians to tackle the ‘causes of the causes’ of the borough’s health problems, saying it will be impossible for the NHS to ‘treat our way out’ of the problems.

The government shelved its minimum pricing plan in July due to fears it would hit responsible drinkers.