Northern Ireland will be the first place in the UK to impose a minimum price – if a minister gets his way.

Stormont social development minister Alex Attwood has confirmed that the “plan is firmly on the table” and that he hopes “Northern Ireland is the first legislature in these Islands to introduce effective minimum pricing”.

The statement marks a u-turn by Attwood who dismissed calls for a minimum price in September after initially appearing keen to introduce it to help tackle cheap alcohol promotions.

Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly earlier this month about plans to tackle alcohol related disorder Attwood said: “In the very near future we intend to launch a consultation on the minimum pricing of alcohol.

“It is the most important tool for us to begin to create greater discipline around the purchase and consumption of alcohol.”...