Richard Benyon's Westminster Diary, August 5, 2010

Richard Benyon MP • Published 5 Aug 2010 15:30 0 Comments

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THERE has been much talk of the Big Society since the Prime Minister’s launch a few weeks ago.

Some lazy commentators make it out to be something dangerous, new and a concept to be mocked. Truth is, there is nothing actually new about the Big Society; it’s just we haven’t been very good at listening to it or encouraging it in recent years.

When we had a Government that believed things could only be done by the State, voluntary organisations, who could often do it better, were sidelined.

Indeed, volunteers were actively discouraged by petty regulation and bureaucracy. If we think of what really works in our neighbourhood, it tends to be our residents’ associations, village hall committee, a local charity or environmental group.

Those carrying out these voluntary commitments are not doing so begrudgingly, wishing the State to step in and take over. They are doing it because they mind, and they will make sacrifices to do it well. The Big Society, which is as old as society itself, just connects with the average person’s wish to be involved in their local community or tackling a problem large or small. For me, this is what the Government’s legacy should be. It is about empowering people with State support.

Theresa May has made an important speech showing how the new Government will deal with Britain’s booze culture. Last year nearly seven million attendances at hospital accident and emergency services were estimated to be alcohol-related, at an annual cost of around £650m to the taxpayer. More than a million ambulance call-outs each year are estimated to be alcohol-related. The total costs of alcohol-related crime and disorder are estimated to be between £8bn-£13bn a year.

A while back I went out with West Berkshire’s Ambulance Service to find out what was happening locally. The paramedics’ stories did not make for good listening. I can’t understand where the enjoyment is in getting dangerously drunk. Where’s the fun in being stomach- pumped in hospital?

One of the many measures Theresa May announced was the banning of the sale of below-cost alcohol. Good. I have seen own-brand lager on sale in a Newbury supermarket at around 25p a can. That is cheaper than water. The problem is a combination of cheap off-sales and pubs serving those who are drunk. These are problems the Government can start to tackle; the culture that encourages people to drink to excess will take a little longer.

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