DAVID Cameron will today be warned Coalition plans to curb binge drinking by cracking down on cheap alcohol are “flawed”.
The Prime Minister is expected to announce measures to set a minimum price of 45p per unit of alcohol on Wednesday despite misgivings among many Cabinet ministers.
It could hike the price of a supermarket own brand bottle of whisky, gin or vodka from around £10 to more than £16.
But a think-tank report will today say the hike will fail to deter heavy drinkers.
The Adam Smith Institute also fears it will encourage smuggling.
Home Secretary Theresa May and Chancellor George Osborne are said to be unenthusiastic about the proposal.
Opponents within the Government fear that responsible drinkers will be penalised for the actions of a minority and the Treasury could lose duty revenue.
But the PM is understood to be determined to press ahead with the move, which has already been tried by the Scottish Government.
Downing Street said: “The Government will bring forward its proposals on alcohol pricing shortly."