Proposal to continue policy and increase level to 65p.
Plans to continue setting a minimum price per unit of alcohol and
to increase it by 15p will go before the Scottish Parliament for
approval.
As part of a ‘sunset clause’ when Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP)
legislation was introduced in 2018, it will end on 30 April this
year unless Parliament votes to keep it.
A price increase is required to counteract the effects of
inflation and 65p has been selected as the Scottish Government
seeks to increase the positive effects of the policy.
If Parliament agrees, it will take effect on 30 September 2024.
Deputy First Minister said:
“Research commended by internationally-renowned public health
experts estimated that our world-leading Minimum Unit Pricing
(MUP) policy has saved hundreds of lives, likely averted hundreds
of alcohol-attributable hospital admissions and contributed to
reducing health inequalities.
“Despite this progress, deaths caused specifically by alcohol
rose last year – and my sympathy goes out to all those who have
lost a loved one.
“We believe the proposals, which are supported by Scotland’s
Chief Medical Officer, strike a reasonable balance between public
health benefits and any effects on the alcoholic drinks market
and impact on consumers. Evidence suggests there has not been a
significant impact on business and industry as a whole.
“Alongside MUP, we will continue to invest in treatment and a
wide range of other measures, including funding for Alcohol and
Drug Partnerships which rose to £112 million in 2023-24.”
Background
Orders will be laid before Parliament on 19 February.
Public attitudes
research published in September 2023 found that overall more
people were likely to be in favour of MUP (43%) than against it
(38%) - in line with previous Scottish Social Attitudes Survey
findings on MUP at intervals between 2013-2019.
Research conducted by
Public Health Scotland and the University of Glasgowestimated
that MUP had reduced alcohol-attributable deaths by 13.4% - 156 a
year - and was likely to have reduced hospital admissions
wholly attributable to alcohol by 4.1% up to the end of 2020
compared to what would have happened if MUP had not been in
place.
As part of a review of the level of minimum unit price, the
Scottish Government commissioned the University of Sheffield
Alcohol Research Group, who are experts in this field, to
undertake new modelling. Putting
their analysis in the context of current prices, this estimated
that continuing and raising MUP to 65p could avert an additional
60 alcohol specific deaths and 774 fewer hospital admissions in
the first year, compared to the price remaining constant in real
terms - not to mention the significant public health benefits
expected where alcohol is a contributor to causes of death and
ill health.
Interim business and
regulatory impact assessment
PHS evaluation which
found there was no clear evidence of substantial negative impacts
on the alcoholic drinks industry
Analysis of the
consultation responses, undertaken by independent contractor ‘the
Lines Between’
The Scottish Government’s
response to the consultation feedback including a Ministerial
foreword
