MSPs to vote through minimum unit alcohol price increase
It's going up from 50p to 65p meaning all booze will become more expensive
Last updated 26th Mar 2024
MSPs are expected to rubber stamp plans to increase the minimum unit price for alcohol to 65 pence.
Members of Holyrood’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee will vote on the rise this morning.
The 50 pence rate has been in place since May 2018.
Deputy First Minister Shona Robison announced the increase in February, insisting it was due to inflation.
If approved, it will mean the cost of alcoholic drinks going up by 30% from the 30th of September.
A 70cl bottle of whisky will cost at least £18.20 and a bottle of vodka will set people back £16.90.
The move is being welcomed by campaigners, including CEO of Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs Justina Murray, who said “The impact of the 50 pence has shrunk over time as the value of that 50 pence has fallen.
"Other things have happened as well, we’ve had the pandemic where people began to drink more and that really hasn’t shifted back.”
But with 1,276 alcohol related deaths in Scotland in 2022, the highest figure since 2008, the Scottish Government is being urged to do even more:
“You should be able to go out and about with your family in your own community and not be bombarded with alcohol marketing everywhere you look. Similarly, alcohol availability is a huge concern for families” adds Justina.
However, critics of the rise in minimum unit pricing don’t believe it will have the desired effect and will hit the poorest the hardest.
Jamie Mackie, Policy and Public Affairs Officer at the Scottish Grocers Federation, is among those with concerns:
“Our surveys of members show around three quarters say MUP has had very little impact on behaviour. It didn’t really matter what the price was, it wouldn’t have an impact as sales have remained steady in certain areas.”
“What we feel is that this increase will put a lot of pressure on people’s baskets, on their pockets. It will hit the worst off, because people who are well off will still be able to buy the drinks that they want to buy.”