Scottish government proposes increasing minimum unit price of alcohol to 65p: The Scottish government is to consult on a proposal to raise the minimum unit price (MUP) of alcohol to 65p. A 50p minimum price per unit was introduced in 2018, but that legislation will expire in April 2024. Drugs policy minister Elena Whitham said future proposals would strike a “reasonable balance” between health benefits and the effects on business. It comes as university research suggested the policy had become less effective because of inflation. The University of Sheffield report said the original 50p price was now equivalent to 41p. It also said heavier drinkers increased their alcohol consumption during the covid pandemic, further cancelling out some of the beneficial impacts. The alcoholic drinks industry was consulted over the summer on the possibility of increasing minimum unit pricing (MUP). At the time the Federation of Independent Retailers expressed concerns over raising the price to more than 80p, which it described as “over the top”. In its consultation document, the government said it settled on 65p as this price brought the most health benefits while minimising interference in the market. The government said a price of 70p or more would result in “a more significant distortion to the market” with some premium products being included. Under the 65p MUP, a 700ml bottle of Scotch whisky would cost a bare minimum of £18.20. The same volume of vodka or gin would have a minimum price of £17.07. A pack of four 440ml cans of cider would cost at least £5.15, while a pack of four beer cans of the same size would cost at least £5.72. The consultation will continue for nine weeks, after which ministers will make a final decision on whether MUP should continue and what the unit price will be. A Scottish Beer & Pub Association spokesperson said: “We will be responding fully to the consultation, but our immediate view is that this increase will not be welcomed at the current time. The is a real danger that the majority of people, who drink responsibly and stick within the chief medical officers’ guidelines, will be negatively impacted at the check-out. The Scottish government should carefully consider the timing of such a drastic increase.” A final evaluation of MUP in June claimed that it averted alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions, and lowered alcohol consumption. The Public Health Scotland (PHS) report collated 40 studies to examine the policy's effect on health, business and public attitudes. Overall, it claimed MUP “had a positive impact on health outcomes, including addressing alcohol-related health inequalities”. However, it also said it had a limited impact on the most harmful drinkers. Based on comparisons with England, analysis by PHS estimates that there were 13.4% fewer deaths related to alcohol than would have happened without the policy, as well as 4.1% fewer hospital admissions. There were 1,245 alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland in 2021, an increase of 5% on the previous year. This was the highest number registered in a year since 2008. Health experts have previously said ministers should consider increasing the unit price to build on the “life-saving policy”. University of Sheffield researchers said an increase in the MUP level was needed to maintain positive impacts – and failing to link MUP to rising inflation would cost more lives in the future. Alcohol Focus Scotland said the Scottish parliament needed to “renew and reinvigorate” MUP.