Advertisement
News

Supreme Court allows Scotland to set minimum price for alcohol

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was “delighted” Holyrood can take action on cheap booze

The UK’s Supreme Court judges have ruled in favour of the Scottish Parliament over a minimum pricing for alcohol – allowing the government at Holyrood to push ahead with plans to crack down on cheap booze.

Supreme Court judges said legislation already passed by the parliament in Edinburgh in 2012 did not break any of the EU’s commercial laws.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said it accepted the decision, despite its five-year legal battle to prevent the changes.

Scottish ministers, along with several leading campaign groups and health bodies, believe bringing in a set minimum price per unit – expected to be 50p – would stop the damaging effects of high-strength alcohol being sold at such low costs.

According to Alcohol Concern, some cider brands were being sold at 18p per unit.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was “absolutely delighted that minimum pricing has been upheld by the Supreme Court.”

Advertisement
Advertisement

“This has been a long road – and no doubt the policy will continue to have its critics – but it is a bold and necessary move to improve public health.”

Now is the time for Westminster to step up and save lives

The push for minimum pricing legislation grew in Scotland over the past decade with the rise of cheap, super-strength lagers and ciders and low-cost brand-own spirits in supermarkets.

Alcohol Focus Scotland discovered that someone only had to spent £2.52 to by the maximum recommended weekly intake – 14 units of alcohol.

Health experts south of the border are hoping today’s decision could have knock-on consequences.

“Now is the time for Westminster to step up and save lives,” said Richard Piper, the chief executive of Alcohol Concern.

“As alcohol has become more affordable, the rates of alcohol-related ill-health have risen. The fact is, something has to be done.”

Photo: Ninian Reid, licensed under Creative Commons.

Advertisement

Support someone in your own community

With our online vendor map, you can support a local vendor by supplementing their income with a subscription to Big Issue. For every annual subscription sold via a vendor, a vendor receives £50.

Recommended for you

Read All
Should we break up the Met? We asked experts what comes next after the Casey Review
police reform

Should we break up the Met? We asked experts what comes next after the Casey Review

Strike dates 2023: From trains to passport offices, here are the dates to know
Strike action

Strike dates 2023: From trains to passport offices, here are the dates to know

Young disabled people are shut out from housing and forced to live with their parents
Disability

Young disabled people are shut out from housing and forced to live with their parents

Ever thought about earning money from recycling? Bower Recycling is making it happen.
Recycling

Ever thought about earning money from recycling? Bower Recycling is making it happen.

Most Popular

Read All
Here's when people will get the next cost of living payment in 2023
1.

Here's when people will get the next cost of living payment in 2023

No internet, no opportunities: Addressing the challenges of digital exclusion in the UK
2.

No internet, no opportunities: Addressing the challenges of digital exclusion in the UK

What are 15-minute cities? The truth about the plans popping up from Oxford all the way to Melbourne
3.

What are 15-minute cities? The truth about the plans popping up from Oxford all the way to Melbourne

They Might Be Giants is not a cult: How they built a birdhouse in your soul... and a 40-year sustainable creative enterprise
4.

They Might Be Giants is not a cult: How they built a birdhouse in your soul... and a 40-year sustainable creative enterprise