MUP evidence far from clear This deluded dream has now become a financial nightmare for Scottish taxpayers

THE debate around the minimum unit pricing (MUP) of alcohol has been marked by the recurring concern that evidence cited by supporters of the policy is partial, open to interpretation, and not nearly as conclusive as it has been portrayed.

Given that, it is doubly unfortunate that in a report revealing our concern at the proposal to increase MUP by 30% published by you (“‘Poorest Scots will be hit hardest’ by new minimum pricing, warns union”, March 24), a prominent backer of the policy not just misinterprets economic statistics but turns them on their head.

Dr Alastair MacGilchrist, chair of Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, suggests GMB Scotland’s concern that this increase will penalise the poorest Scots is misplaced since we admit “spending power has risen by more than inflation”.

We had done nothing of the kind, of course, and had, in fact, highlighted official figures showing the exact opposite – that spending power of Scots in real terms has stagnated in the five years since MUP was introduced, meaning an increase from 50p to 65p cannot, in any way, be justified as necessary to reflect inflation as ministers have done.

If Dr MacGilchrist’s interpretation was correct then there would be no cost of living crisis as wages rise above inflation. The reality, sadly, is very different.

This, unfortunately, is only one example of many where scepticism and criticism of this policy have been airily dismissed by supportive lobby groups and campaigners citing evidence and research which is either inconclusive or open to interpretation.

Dr MacGilchrist clearly believes the case for MUP is indisputable, adding that “the evidence is entirely clear: it is saving lives without significant unintended consequences”.

His confidence is bullish but premature. The evidence is far from being entirely clear and the consequences, intended or otherwise, for Scots with a drink problem, for families struggling to make ends meet in our poorest postcodes, and for workers in one of the country’s most important industries, remain far from certain.

David Hume,

GMB Scotland organiser, Glasgow.