Scottish alcohol minimum unit price could rise to 65p under new proposal

Alcoholic drinks sold in Scotland could be priced at a minimum of 65p per unit, up from the current 50p MUP, from April 2024 if the proposal receives the positive approval of the Scottish parliament.

The Scottish government is currently consulting on whether to continue the minimum unit price scheme, which will expire on 30 April 2024. The Alcohol (Minimum Price per Unit) (Scotland) Order 2018 set the current rate of 50p, which came into force on 1 May 2018 for a six-year period.

A report published by the Scottish government on the operation and effect of the MUP since its implementation shows some evidence that the MUP has had an overall positive impact on health. It is estimated that the scheme has reduced deaths directly caused by alcohol consumption by 13.4% and is likely to have reduced hospital admissions. It also led to a reduction in alcohol sales.

The consultation paper states that the scheme strikes a reasonable balance between public health benefits against the effects of any intervention in the alcoholic drinks market and subsequent impact on consumers.

However, the consultation paper shows that there was no consistent evidence that the MUP impacted alcohol-related health outcomes such as ambulance callouts, emergency department attendances and prescribing of medication for alcohol dependence. There was also a lack of evidence of either positive or negative impacts on social outcomes, such as alcohol-related crime or illicit drug use at a population level.

Abbie Hunter of Pinsent Masons said: “The cost of living crisis and inflation are already impacting household budgets. With everyone’s budgets tightening, the drinks industry will undoubtedly be concerned about the proposal to raise the minimum unit price.”

Audrey Ferrie of Pinsent Masons added: “The lack of consistent evidence of the positive impact on alcohol-related health outcomes calls into question the benefits of the policy.“

The proposed 65p minimum unit price means that a 750ml bottle of 12% wine could not be sold for less than £5.85. Currently, the same bottle of wine must be priced at £4.69 or above.

Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Dr Sandesh Gulhane challenged the proposal, saying that increasing the minimum unit price to 65p would “only hit responsible drinkers during a cost-of-living crisis”.

The public consultation is due to close on 22 November 2023.