The minimum price per unit of alcohol will increase by 15 pence
after the Scottish Parliament approved plans to continue with the
public health measure.
As part of a ‘sunset clause' when Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP)
legislation was introduced in 2018, it had been due to end on 30
April, however today's vote by MSPs ensures its continuation.
In addition, a price increase was required to counteract the
effects of inflation, with a rise to 65p selected as the Scottish
Government seeks to increase the positive effects of the policy.
The increase will take effect on 30 September 2024.
Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Christina McKelvie said:
“I'm pleased that Parliament has agreed to continue MUP
legislation and to raise the level it is set at.
“Research commended by internationally-renowned public health
experts estimated that our world-leading 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. However, as a letter to The Lancet by
public health experts makes clear, it is likely that without MUP
there would have been an even greater number of alcohol-specific
deaths.
“As we have made clear, the policy aims to reduce alcohol-related
harm by reducing consumption at population level, with a
particular focus on targeting people who drink at hazardous and
harmful levels.
“We believe the proposals 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 but
we will continue to monitor this.”
Background
The Scottish Government is determined to do all it can to reduce
alcohol-related harm. Alongside MUP it will continue to invest in
treatment and a wide range of other measures. Funding for Alcohol
and Drug Partnerships rose to a record £112 million in 2023-24.
Research conducted by Public
Health Scotland and the University of Glasgow estimated
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.
Public health experts wrote an open letter to The
Lancet last August commending Public Health Scotland's
evaluation of minimum unit pricing commenting that it was “high
quality” and “comprehensive”.
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
deaths and 774 fewer hospital admissions in the first year,
compared to the price remaining constant in real terms.
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.
Final Business and Regulatory
Impact Assessment
PHS evaluation found there
was no clear evidence of substantial negative impacts on the
alcoholic drinks industry.
