SNP splash £500k on drink price crackdown
THE SNP’s campaign to drive up the price of alcohol has landed taxpayers with a legal bill of almost half a million pounds.
And the cost is set to rise after the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) last week confirmed it intended to appeal to the Supreme Court in London.
Concerns about the ‘considerable cost to the taxpayer’ were raised last night – especially when funding for alcohol support groups has been cut.
The Scottish Government wants to tackle the damage caused by cheap booze by introducing a minimum unit price of 50p. This means a bottle of wine will cost at least £5, a 75cl bottle of whisky £15 and four cans of Tennent’s lager £4. The SWA insists the policy will breach EU trade laws.
The Scottish Mail on Sunday understands government officials have already opened talks with retailers. They had hoped to bring in the changes next year.
The Court of Session backed the Government plans last month but on Friday the SWA applied to appeal to the Supreme Court.
The Government revealed legal and court costs had reached £434,100, in response to a parliamentary question last week. Services to help people with drink and drug problems have had their funding cut by £15 million.
Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative public health spokesman, said: ‘We gave our support to minimum pricing on the condition that the legislation would be legally robust and could be dropped if it was not working. It has taken the SNP more than four years to get to this stage and at considerable cost to the taxpayer.
‘It is disappointing the public purse will again take a hit with this appeal. We can only hope those costs can be recovered at the end of this process.
‘SNP Ministers have stood idly by as Alcohol and Drug Partnerships across the country have seen their funding cut – which is not going to help support people with alcohol problems.’
Eben Wilson, director of Taxpayer Scotland, said: ‘This attempt to bolster the nanny state means government lawyers gain at taxpayers’ expense.’
Alex Wild, research director of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: ‘With Scotland’s deficit even bigger than Greece’s and the performance of Scottish public services lagging behind the rest of the UK, taxpayers will be wondering if the Scottish Government has got its priorities right.’
The SWA believes the Court of Session was wrong to find minimum pricing was compatible with EU law.
It came after a ruling in December last year, when judges at the European Court of Justice found it could be justified only on health grounds, if more proportionate and effective than using general taxation.
SWA acting chief executive Julie Hesketh-Laird said: ‘Given our strong view that minimum pricing is incompatible with EU law and likely to be ineffective, we hope our appeal can be heard quickly in the Supreme Court.’
The Scottish Government said: ‘It is frustrating that a policy approved by the parliament and found lawful by the Scottish courts is being further delayed. Alcohol misuse is costing Scotland £3.6 billion each year.’
‘Public purse will again take a hit’