Minimum alcohol costs drive Scots to pricier drink

DRINKERS in Scotland have paid an extra £270million for their alcohol over the past four years after the introduction of the minimum pricing scheme, according to a new analysis from economists.

The system, which came into force in May 2018 and requires alcohol to be sold at a minimum price of 50p per unit, was expected to add £76 million to drinkers’ bills – but the Institute of Economic Affairs said the extra bill has come in more than three times higher.

The policy’s stated aim was to drive out cheap drinks and “save lives”, but the IEA said it has done little to improve health, at a cost of £71.12 per drinker.

“Our estimate suggests that minimum pricing has cost Scottish drinkers more than a quarter of a billion pounds,” said Christopher Snowdon, the think tank’s head of lifestyle economics.

“Although alcohol consumption has fallen slightly in Scotland, we find no evidence this has led to an improvement in health outcomes. Consumers have simply switched from the most affordable alcohol to mid-range brands – to the benefit of producers and retailers.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said the scheme is being evaluated, with a Public Health Scotland report due next year. He pointed out that research published in the Lancet last year found alcohol sales had fallen almost 8pc since the policy was introduced.

“In 2020 we saw total alcohol sales reported as falling to their lowest level for 26 years,” he said.