Scottish Labour: Mochan: it’s time for public health levy on alcohol sales to bolster nhs services

It’s time for a Public Health Levy to be implemented on alcohol sales to ensure that Scotland’s decimated Alcohol and Drug Partnerships get the support they need, Scottish Labour has said today.

Scotland remains in the grip of a public health emergency with 11,209 deaths attributed to alcohol-specific causes in the last decade. In 2022, 1,276 deaths were recorded, which is the highest number since 2008.

Currently the Scottish Government’s Minimum Unit Pricing policy is leading to retailers making around £40 million in additional revenue from alcohol sales.

At the same time, SNP cut vital alcohol and drug treatment by £46 million in real terms over a five year period.

This SNP Government ditched its Public Health Supplement, which raised £95.9 million in revenue from alcohol and tobacco sales to fund preventative measures.

As a result, while Scotland remains in the midst of an alcohol health crisis, private retailers are cashing in on the SNP’s policy while rehabilitation services struggle to recover from being cut to the bone.

In its recent Budget, SNP Ministers signalled that they are considering reversing its decision and reintroducing the Public Health Supplement, but families blighted by alcohol-related issues will rightly ask why it was abolished in the first place.

Today, Scottish Labour is calling for the implementation of a Public Health Levy on alcohol sales to ensure income generated by Minimum Unit Pricing can fund vital, life-saving treatment.

Commenting, Scottish Labour’s Carol Mochan said: “Alcohol abuse remains a major health hazard in Scotland, with lives being lost as a result.

“Despite this, the SNP’s actions are allowing retailers to cash in on additional money from alcohol sales while frontline services are being cut.

“This is nothing short of a shameful failure of those most in need and a clear example of this government’s skewed priorities.

“Minimum Unit Pricing is no silver bullet and without properly funded Drug and Alcohol Partnerships then more lives will be avoidably lost.

“Scottish Labour is repeating its longstanding call for the implementation of a Public Health Levy so that services and those who need them get the support that they need.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

The number of deaths from alcohol-specific causes rose in Scotland in 2022 by 2%, according to figures published today by National Records of Scotland.

• In total 1,276 deaths were attributed to alcohol-specific causes in 2022, 31 more than in 2021; the highest number since 2008.
• In the last decade, there has been 11,209 deaths.
• There are 4.3 times as many deaths from these causes in the most deprived communities as in the least deprived communities.

https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/news/2023/small-increase-in-alcohol-specific-death-statistics

Alcohol and Drug Partnership funding

Public Health Supplement revenues

Alcohol Focus Scotland, in a recent briefing paper on ‘Alcohol Harm Prevention Levy – October 2023’, has used the estimated figure of £40m in additional revenue for retailers through MUP.