THE minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol in Scotland has increased from 50p to 65p.
Scotland’s Health Secretary Neil Gray has said the “world-leading policy has saved hundreds of lives”.
While charities Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems and Alcohol Focus Scotland are among those to praise the policy, ministers have still been urged to do “much more” to tackle problem drinking.
Here’s a look at what MUP will mean.
What is MUP?
MUP essentially establishes a baseline price per unit of alcohol in a drink. However, it is not a tax and does not generate income for the Scottish Government.
For example, a bottle of vodka in Scotland will now cost at least £17.06 in Scotland – around £5 more than the old price when MUP was set at 50p.
Scotland was the first country in the world to set a minimum price at which alcoholic drinks could be sold when the policy was first introduced in May 2018.
What will it mean for prices?
The changes will mean the price of alcohol increases. Here’s a look at what it might mean:
- Beer 5% - Four 440ml cans will increase from £4.40 to 5.7
- Cider 4.5% - Four 440ml cans will rise from £3.96 to £5.15
- Vodka 37.5% - One 70cl bottle will increase from £13.13 to £17.06
- Red wine 12.5% - 75cl bottle will increase from £4.69 to £6.09
What has the Health Secretary said?
Alcohol deaths in Scotland reached a 15-year high in 2023 – the highest level since 2008.
Overall, 1277 deaths were attributed to alcohol-specific causes in the last year, an increase of one from 2022.
Gray (below) said: “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.”
He added that there are “several hundred people with low income in Scotland who are alive today as a result of this policy”.
He continued: “However, the Scottish Government is determined to do all it can to reduce alcohol-related harm and as part of that, I am working to ensure people with problematic alcohol use receive the same quality of care and support as those dealing with problematic drugs use.
“We have also made a record £112 million available to alcohol and drug partnerships to deliver or commission treatment and support services locally, as well as investing £100m in residential rehabilitation.
"I have also asked that Public Health Scotland is commissioned to review evidence and options for reducing exposure to alcohol marketing.”
