Let's get radical: Scotland's drinks trade shake-up

Scotland wants the toughest controls on alcohol in recent UK history. John Harrington examines the main plans

Disorder levy

A "Social Responsibility Fee" (SRF) will be levied to "help offset the costs of dealing with the adverse consquences of alcohol".

Rateable value or alcohol sales turnover could determine fees, which "should be proportionate to the size of the business". Councils would set levels and they would apply to both the on and off-trade.

SRFs mirror alcohol disorder zones in England and Wales. Scotland faces a similar opposition to that measure from the trade.

Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) chief executive Paul Waterson asks: "Why should responsible operators pay a levy when they already pay huge rates?"

Scottish Beer & Pub Association boss Patrick Browne says: "Just because an incident happens outside a pub premises does not necessarily mean the problems relate to that premises. This proposal may well target the wrong businesses."

Scottish Government Justice Minister Kenny McAskill highlights Glasgow, where two police officers stand outside the biggest bars. "Somebody has to pay for them; at the moment it comes from the council-tax payer."

Minimum pricing

The Scottish Government thinks a minimum price per unit will combat "pocket-money pricing". It applies to both on and off-trades — but the target is supermarkets.

The price would be based solely on alcoholic strength, not drink type. Scottish ministers would set the level and the system would be monitored under usual licensing powers. No price is proposed, but the consultation says a rate of 35p per unit would impact most on drinks priced low compared to their strength.

McAskill told the MA he thinks EU competition law will be no barrier.

Browne says: "It will be a matter for the Scottish Government to provide compelling reasons and evidence to the relevant authorities if it tries to pursue minimum prices. High prices do not solve alcohol misuse, just as low prices do not cause alcohol misuse."

But Waterson supports the move: "If supermarkets are selling alcohol so cheaply and are not prepared to do anything about it, the only redress is to appeal to the Government."

No drinks ads outside pubs

Scotland's new consultation wants a ban on promotional material "visible to persons outside the premises". This would change the look of the high street for ever, with ads such as Wetherspoon's "Price Watch" posters banned.

"We think we should be free to advertise outside the premises," says Waterson. "The problem has come from the supermarkets, where every advert seems to be about the price of alcohol. The supermarkets are not doing the trade any favours."

Smaller pub servings

A new law forcing pubs that serve wine and spirits to offer them in smaller quantities — 125ml for wine and 25ml for spirits — is proposed.

The Scottish Government worries about the drift towards larger glasses, believing consumers don't understand how many alcohol units are included. Similar action is proposed in the UK Parliament via a Private Members' Bill, and 40 MPs have signed the Early Day Motion from Greg Mulholland calling for the move.

Waterson says the measure is "relatively insignificant" — it would not stop pubs serving larger measures if smaller ones are offered.

Alcohol buying age of 21

for shops

Three reasons are given:

1) Alcohol is cheaper and more accessible in the off-trade so it would reduce sales to young people.

2) Pubs have a "more controlled drinking environment" to "moderate" the behaviour of younger drinkers.

3) It would cut proxy sales to kids.

Noctis executive director Paul Smith feared the policy on age could be extended to the on-trade. "It's probably not going to do us any favours in the long term," Smith said. "It's an entirely draconian measure for what is a minority problem."

Waterson reserves his judgement. "The Government has decided on something radical here, so we will have to see what happens."

Other action on off-trade promotions

Scotland's Licensing Act — in force next September — outlaws promotions aimed at the on-trade, such as all-inclusive deals and price reductions for bulk purchases.

The new consultation wants similar restrictions for the off-trade, such as banning loss-leading and reduced-price alcohol when bought with other items.

Interestingly, the consultation says "no evidence has been produced" to support the off-trade's argument that promotions encourage people to stock-up rather than binge.

Separate tills for alcohol-only — and a ban on under-18s manning these tills — are also proposed.