Home Office to fight student binge drinking

The Home Office is launching a pilot scheme that aims to combat binge drinking at university. The aim of the scheme is to create a “cafe culture that runs into the evening” to replace pub crawls and the alcohol-fuelled freshers’ week.

The NUS Alcohol Impact scheme is a collaboration between the National Union of Students (NUS) and the Home Office. So far seven universities have agreed to help pilot it: Brighton, Liverpool John Moores, Loughborough, Manchester Metropolitan, Nottingham, Royal Holloway and Swansea.

One of the measures universities will have to take is to limit the sale of alcohol and reduce promotions and advertising. Student Union bars will have to sell low-priced non-alcoholic drinks and organise at least two non-alcoholic events each year. The culture of alcohol brands sponsoring university club nights may also have to end.

Universities will be asked to update their policies and communications schemes to highlight the dangers of binge drinking. Staff will be expected to act more responsibly to protect students who are drinking too much.

If the pilot scheme proves to be effective, it will become a permanent feature at all UK universities.

Universities that follow the rules will be able to gain accreditation under the scheme, which may help them to raise their public profile.

NUS vice-president Colum McGuire explained that he wishes to see students and event organisers change their attitudes towards drinking, with the ultimate goal being “safer and more productive places to study and live”.