IAIN Duncan Smith has called for price rises to help tackle Britain's alcohol 'obsession.'

In an interview with The Times newspaper, the Woodford Green MP said booze was damaging the country's social fabric, and accused supermarkets of being "as close to immoral as you can get" by selling drink so cheaply.

The former Tory leader, who now heads the policy think-tank, The Centre for Social Justice, was also reported as saying that raising the cost of alcohol and reversing the UK's 24-hour drinking laws, were key to helping to cut consumption.

Mr Duncan Smith, who is seen as a key influence on the Conservative Party's social affairs policy said alcohol was arguably more dangerous than heroin because it was easier to buy.

He criticised past governments for failing to take action to limit its impact on society.