Drunks who repeatedly turn up at A&E should be fined to pay for treating for their injuries, Nigel Farage has claimed.

The Ukip leader, who admits to having a pint most lunchtimes, said that it was a ‘reasonable proposition’ to charge people who end up in hospital more than once after drinking.

He also revealed he is finding the election campaign ‘knackering’, as polls suggest support for Ukip is on the slide.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage, who admits to having a pint most lunchtimes, said that it was a ‘reasonable proposition’ to charge people who end up in hospital more than once after drinking

FARAGE TELLS SUPPORTERS TO VOTE TORY WHERE UKIP CAN'T WIN Ukip supporters should consider switching to back the Tories in areas where their party cannot win, Nigel Farage has suggested. The Ukip leader said his backers had to use their vote 'as wisely as they can', and urged them to do what they can to secure a referendum on the European Union. David Cameron has urged Ukip supporters to 'come home' to the Tories, the only party able to deliver an EU vote. In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, conceded his Ukip supporters could back Conservative candidates in areas where there is no chance of winning. He said: 'Of course, it's a complex electoral system and people have to use their votes as wisely as they can." Mr Farage suggested that Ukip MPs could prop up a Tory government to keep Ed Miliband out of power. 'If the Tories were the biggest party, and we helped to make up the numbers and this country had a full, free and fair referendum, that would be an infinitely better position.' Advertisement

There were nearly 60,000 assaults on NHS staff in 2011-12 and alcohol-related hospital admissions have now topped a million a year – a rise of 510,000 in a decade.

Politicians from across the political spectrum have backed the idea of fining or charging people who visit A&E after drinking too much, but doctors leaders warn the plan is unworkable.

It would also cast doubt on the principle that the NHS is free at the point of use.

Mr Farage said he would support the idea of charging for treating drunks, but only persistent troublemakers.

He told the Sunday People: ‘It wouldn't be for first-time offenders," he told the Sunday People in an exclusive interview. "We were all young once. But for a second offence it's a reasonable proposition."

But he rejected the idea of issuing fines for people who miss GP appointments. ‘That would not be practical. Chasing up fines would cost too much money. The NHS has huge problems but I'm totally for an NHS free at the point of delivery.’

Lib Dem health minister Norman Lamb last year suggested a £50 levy on drunks. He warned that people who ‘gratuitously’ consume too much alcohol, especially at the weekends, were putting a ‘huge’ burden on hospitals.

Tory Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt signalled that he was open to the idea of fining those who cost taxpayers through their own ‘irresponsibility’.

‘I have a great deal of sympathy for the people who say we should charge people who use A&E because they go over the top on a Friday or a Saturday night,’ he said.

‘I don’t see why we, as taxpayers, should be funding that.’

Lib Dem health minister Norman Lamb and Tory Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt have both signalled they are open to fining drunks who cause problems in A&E

Gordon Miles, chief executive of the College of Emergency Medicine, said in September that the proposal would be ‘very tricky’.

He added: ‘For example they had a couple of glasses of wine, fell and really hurt themselves? The priority is treating them. ‘It’s all very well saying these people are a huge burden on hospitals which they are, and A&E staff do face challenging situations.

'But there are many other ways we need to tackle alcohol abuse before it gets to hospital.’

In a separate interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Farage admitted that he tries to drink every day.

He also admitted he was feeling the strain of the election campaign, which has been dogged by botched events and falling poll ratings

Asked if he has a pint of bitter every lunchtime, he replied: "Generally - I try to. I like Adnam's. Young's. Master Brew."

He also admitted he was feeling the strain of the election campaign. 'Of course it's a bit knackering, I am not superhuman,' he said.

Ukip has struggled in recent days with misfiring campaign launches, angry protests and falling poll ratings.

The latest ComRes survey for the Mail put the party on 12 per cent, level with the Lib Dems for the first time in two years.