Minimum unit price for booze
HUNDREDS of supermarket booze deals would be wiped out in Wales if proposed minimum pricing laws are introduced.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said his government would make introducing the idea a priority of this year’s legislative programme.
But our sister paper the Daily Post has discovered that despite claims that it will add only £10 a year to the average drinker’s expenses, it could end popular supermarket deals across the country.
It means Welsh people could end up making booze runs across the border into England to make the most of cheap supermarket booze offers.
A potential 50p-per-unit minimum price would hit a number of cheap wines and spirits and also halt many discount deals, even for more high-value brands like Stella Artois and a Trivento Reserve Malbec wine.
In a speech setting out his Government’s legislative priorities for the year ahead, the First Minister revealed they were proposing legislation to make it illegal for alcohol to be sold below a set price.
He said he wanted to put the Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) Bill firmly back on the table, with previous proposals talking about a 50p-per-unit minimum.
Local authorities will then be given the power to enforce the pricing legislation and bring about prosecutions.
But the proposal depends on the result of a Supreme Court chalhallenge against similar plans by the Scottish Government.
Mr Jones said: “The bills we intend to introduce during the second year of this Assembly will support our efforts to build a Wales that is healthy and active, prosperous and secure, ambitious and d learning and united and connnected.
“The five bills will tacklekle harmful alcohol consumption, help support working parents, protect tenants from unfair fees and reform and improve local government.”
Research suggested a charge of 50p per unit in Wales would save nearly £900m over 20 years by cutting crime and illness, with 50 fewer deaths a year.
But when the Welsh Government first introduced its plans, a drinks industry spokesman said the proposals would “ramp up” prices while “doing nothing” to tackle alcohol harm. Sara Jones, head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, said: “Retailers are very aware that Wales faces a number of problems duedu to alcohol abuse. “H “However, we also realise this is a complex and multifa re faceted problem which requires a range of soluti tions. “We have always argued t there is no silver bullet to t this, and that a range of targ geted measures is likely to pr produce the greatest imp impact. “R “Retailers have had a number of concerns around MUP (minimum unit price). “Firstly on principle we oppose measures which interfere with the market and put costs up for our customers. “Secondly we believe there is a concern that MUP may hit less affluent moderate consumers of alcohol whilst not necessarily having the desired impact on problem drinkers.” tg