Minimum price of alcohol in Scotland rises by 30%

The minimum price at which alcohol can be sold in Scotland has risen by 30% in an attempt to keep up with inflation over the past six years.

The minimum unit price (MUP) has not changed since it was set at 50p per unit of alcohol when it was first introduced in May 2018.

It has now increased to 65p per unit, meaning a typical 12.5% bottle of wine cannot be sold for less than £6.09 and a can of lager will be at least £1.30.

MUP is not a tax to generate income for the government. Instead it aims it to reduce the availability of cheap alcohol in shops by setting a minimum price.

For example, a bottle of vodka will now cost at least £17.06 in Scotland – about £5 more than many supermarkets are selling it for in England, where there is no minimum pricing.

Scotland was the first country in the world to set a minimum price at which alcoholic drinks can be sold when the policy was introduced in May 2018.

The policy was mainly aimed at strong cheap alcohol sold in shops and supermarkets.

Before it was introduced, super strength cider (7.5%) was sold in two litres bottles for as little as £1.99.

After the legislation was introduced that same two litre bottle could not be sold for less than £7.50. Under the new 65p minimum unit price it will now be £9.75.

A Public Health Scotland study published in June last year found the MUP scheme had helped to reduce alcohol-related health inequalities.

Based on comparisons with England, it estimated there were 13.4% fewer deaths related to alcohol than would have happened without the policy, as well as 4.1% fewer hospital admissions.

However, the number of people in Scotland whose death was caused by alcohol remains at a high level, with the figures for 2023 showing the largest number of deaths in 15 years.

In September last year, a study by Sheffield University suggested the policy had become less effective due to inflation.

The report found the original 50p price had been reduced by inflation to the equivalent of just 41p.

It also said heavier drinkers increased their alcohol consumption during the Covid pandemic, cancelling out some of the beneficial impacts.

The increase in the MUP was announced in February.

Some groups representing the off-licence trade have previously expressed opposition to any increase, but alcohol recovery charities have been supportive.

GMB Scotland, representing members across the drinks industry, warned that the policy was already risking jobs and investment and questioned its “unproven” health benefits.

The Federation of Independent Retailers warned that raising the minimum price could put retailers at an increased risk of alcohol being stolen.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said he was confident the scheme had saved hundreds of lives.

He said the price increase was due to inflation.

“Obviously by increasing it we would hope we would see a further improvement in the situation alongside the other aspects that we are looking at, including alcohol advertising and marketing,” Gray said.

Willie Rennie of the Scottish Liberal Democrats backed the move.

He said: “The original impact of minimum pricing has decreased over time as inflation has eaten away at the effectiveness of the policy.

“More than 20 people a week in Scotland die due to alcohol misuse. The opponents of minimum pricing need to explain what alternatives they are proposing to tackle the pressures that this imposes on our health and justice systems.”

Carol Mochan, Scottish Labour’s spokeswoman for Public Health, said frontline alcohol and drug services needed “proper resourcing” from the SNP to be effective.

She added: “Scottish Labour will consider any evidence-based plans to improve public health, but the SNP must acknowledge that there is no one silver bullet.”

Scottish Greens health spokeswoman Gillian Mackay said MUP should be “an important part” of the nation’s health strategy but wider work was needed as it was not a “cure-all”.

However, Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said MUP was not a “miracle cure” and “simply punishes responsible drinkers”.

Graeme Callander, from the WithYou alcohol support group, said it was “unbelievable” that the money raised goes to retailers and the alcohol industry.

“This revenue could make a real difference if it was instead directed towards improving and increasing the availability of alcohol support services – because these services will ultimately help to save lives,” he said.

Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (Shaap) and Alcohol Focus Scotland (AFS) said the minimum unit price had to be uprated annually to prevent “cheaper alcohol that causes the most harm” becoming more affordable over time.

Both groups also said the government needed to do more than just MUP if it is to tackle the “public health emergency” of alcohol harms, and criticised it for “dragging its feet” over alcohol marketing reforms.

Alison Douglas, chief executive of AFS, said her charity was calling for an alcohol harm prevention levy on alcohol retailers, which she said the Fraser of Allander Institute estimated could raise as much as £57m a year to invest in alcohol treatment services.