Alcohol minimum pricing a huge flop

IT’S interesting but not surprising to note that Scotland’s flagship health policy of minimum-unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol has been an expensive flop.

A report commissioned by Public Health Scotland reveals how little impact the changes have had on tackling problem drinking. It states: “The introduction of a £0.50 MUP in Scotland led to a marked increase in the prices paid for alcohol by people with alcohol dependence. There is no clear evidence that this led to reduced alcohol consumption or levels of alcohol dependence among people drinking at harmful levels.”

MUP was targeted at cheap booze like high-strength ciders, but the price changes led to people switching instead to spirits. Surely common sense could have predicted this: alcoholics will always find a way to feed their addiction.

The report adds: “MUP led to increased financial strain for a substantial minority of those with alcohol dependence as they obtained extra money via methods including reduced spending on food and utility bills, increased borrowing from family, friends or pawnbrokers, running down savings or other capital, and using foodbanks or other forms of charity.”

Again, so very predictable.

All this shows is that when a nannying state meddles with market forces the intended consequences rarely materialise, in fact, the situation is often worsened. Of course, those who dreamed up the policies aren’t affected financially as their fine wines aren’t covered by the changes; it’s the plebs who have to suffer.

What does this have to do with Wales? Well, our government introduced MUP in March 2020, with outlets serving alcohol forced to charge at least 50p a unit. Thenhealth minister Vaughan Gething trumpeted the health benefits, but if Scotland’s anything to go by it’s hard to see what the benefits will be.

Mick Lewis

Bridgend