A MOVE by SNP ministers to push up the minimum unit price of alcohol this week to 65p was hailed last night by campaigners and political rivals.
The Scottish Sun understands the 15p hike from the current 50p rate will be revealed on Thursday in a statement to Holyrood.
It is part of efforts to cut the harm caused by booze.
But it comes amid debate about how effective Scotland-only price controls have been since 2018 — after rises in alcohol-linked deaths over the past two years.
Plans would see the lowest price for a typical pack of four cans of beer rise from £4.40 to £5.72.
A bottle of 13 per cent wine would soar from £4.88 to £6.34, while a 700ml bottle of 40 per cent spirits would be at least £18.20, compared with £14 now.
Tonight Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie, who has campaigned for a higher minimum price, said: “I’m glad ministers have listened.
“If the unit price doesn’t move with inflation, the value of the policy is eroded.”
A “sunset clause” in the 2012 legislation means changes must be brought forward by the end of April for the policy to continue.
Last year, a consultation asked for views on whether to continue the policy with a new price of 65p per unit.
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A source said responses were broadly supportive and that “no surprises” were expected in the statement.
Ministers are also being urged to introduce a retailer levy on booze sales, which charity Alcohol Focus Scotland say could raise £57million a year.
Scottish Labour backs the policy, and the Fraser of Allander Institute say a 16p levy on business rates for off-licences could raise up to £70million.
Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, believes the cash could help relieve the additional pressure on the NHS caused by drinking.
She said: “The Scottish Government recognised the increasing number of deaths from alcohol — up 25 per cent in three years — as a public health emergency.
What it means
Alcohol, Strength (alcohol by volume), Volume, Currently 50p per unit minimum price, Proposed 65p per unit minimum price, Difference
- Scotch whiskey – 40%, 700ml, £14.00, £18.20, £4.20
- Vodka, gin, etc – 37.5%, 700ml, £13.13, £17.07, £3.94
- Vodka, gin, etc – 37.5%, 1,000 ml, £18.75, £24.38, £5.63
- Wine – 12%, 750ml, £4.50, £5.85, £1.35
- Wine – 13%, 750ml, £4.88, £6.34, £1.46
- Beer – 5%, 4x440ml cans, £4.40, £5.72, £1.32
- Beer – 4%, 330ml bottle/can, 66p, 86p, 20p
- Lager – 4%, 4x440ml cans, £3.52, £4.58, £1.06
- Cider – 4.5%, 4x440ml cans, £3.96, £5.15, £1.19
- Cider – 7.5%, 1,000ml bottle, £3.75, £4.88, £1.13
“But funding is needed to tackle this.
“By redirecting some of this extra money, we can relieve pressures our health and social care services are experiencing, and address the 40 per cent decline in people accessing specialist alcohol treatment over the past decade.”
Last year, Elena Whitham, the Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister, said more needed to be done to tackle alcohol-related harm.
She claimed minimum unit pricing had “saved hundreds of lives”.
Last March, Public Health Scotland estimated a 13.4 per cent cut in deaths was due to the policy.
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But a report from the Scottish Government agency in June 2022 found “no clear evidence” of minimum pricing causing problem drinkers to change their ways.
Last October, it was announced that alcohol-specific deaths in 2022 rose to a 14-year high of 1,276.
