The Scottish Government is set to implement an automatic annual increase to minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol, in a significant escalation of its campaign against drink-related harm. The move comes as official figures reveal a troubling stagnation in alcohol-specific deaths across Scotland.
A Strengthened Approach to Public Health
Under the new legislation, the minimum price per unit of alcohol will rise automatically each year, linked to inflation. This policy is designed to prevent the erosion of MUP's impact by ensuring affordability does not creep back over time. The current rate of 65p per unit has been in place since its introduction in 2018.
Confronting a Persistent Crisis
Recent statistics from National Records of Scotland paint a sobering picture. While there was a marginal decrease of 1% in alcohol-specific deaths in 2023, the figure of 1,276 lives lost remains starkly higher than pre-pandemic levels. Public Health Minister Maree Todd described the numbers as "unacceptable," emphasising that each statistic represents a person lost to their loved ones.
The Rationale Behind the Automatic Hike
The decision for an automatic annual increase stems from a desire to maintain the policy's effectiveness. By indexing the price to inflation, the government aims to ensure that the real-terms cost of alcohol does not decrease, thereby preserving the public health benefits originally intended by the landmark legislation.
What This Means for Consumers and Retailers
- The price of the cheapest, strongest alcoholic beverages will see consistent yearly increases.
- Retailers will need to adjust pricing annually in line with the new automated mechanism.
- The government believes this predictability will help both businesses and public health planning.
This bold step reinforces Scotland's position at the forefront of public health interventions aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm, as ministers continue to grapple with one of the most significant health challenges facing the nation.
