Alcohol Scotland: Scottish Government proposes minimum unit price hike to 65p as consultation opens

Drugs and alcohol policy minister Elena Whitham is proposing to increase the unit price by 15p from the existing 50p rate first introduced in 2018.

The proposed increase is in line with action called for by groups such as Alcohol Focus Scotland, and comes after figures released last month showed 1,276 people died from alcohol last year – the highest number since 2008.

The consultation, which will last nine weeks, was launched on Wednesday ahead of the policy’s existing term ending on April 30 next year.

Ms Whitham said: “We believe the proposals set out in this consultation strike a reasonable balance between public health benefits and any effects on the alcoholic drinks market and subsequent impact on consumers, but we want to hear from all sides and urge everyone to take the time to respond.”

In its consultation document, the Government said it settled on 65p as it believed this price would bring the most health benefits while minimising interference in the market.

The Government said a price of 70p or more would result in “a more significant distortion to the market”, with some premium products being included.

Under the 65p MUP, a 700ml bottle of Scotch whisky would cost a minimum of £18.20.

The same volume of vodka or gin would have a minimum price of £17.07.

A study by Public Health Scotland published in June had claimed the flagship policy had saved 150 people from a drink-related death last year.

But Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane highlighted the Government had recently updated a press release on the benefits of MUP after he complained about it to the UK Statistics Authority.

He said: “The launching of a second consultation shows even SNP ministers have concerns over any significant changes to their flagship minimum unit pricing policy. Increasing it to 65p per unit would only hit responsible drinkers during a cost-of-living crisis.

“Alcohol deaths are at their highest level since 2008 on the SNP’s watch and it is clear their blanket approach to tackling this crisis is simply not working, or supporting those who most need help with alcohol addiction.”

A spokeswoman for the Scotch Whisky Association said: “An increase of the minimum unit price of alcohol in Scotland from 50p to 65p would push up the minimum price of Scotch whisky from £14 to £18.20 – a significant increase of 30 per cent that would impact consumers across Scotland, the vast majority of whom drink responsibly.”

Criticism of the consultation comes as an academic paper published by Sheffield University found MUP, which was set at 50p per unit in 2018, is now equivalent to 41p per unit due to inflation.

Laura Mahon, deputy chief executive of campaign group Alcohol Focus Scotland, welcomed the consultation, but added: “This has to be the starting point. We need to ensure that the MUP is not left to stagnate further without steps taken to link it with a mechanism to match inflation.”

She added: “Unless there is support to increase the price, the positive effects we’ve seen will be reversed, condemning hundreds more people to unnecessary suffering and loss.”