Scotland presses ahead with minimum pricing

The Scottish Government has published its controversial Alcohol Bill, which will give ministers powers to impose a minimum price, introduce a new tax for retailers and ban off-trade promotions.

Although the Bill gives ministers the power to set and raise a minimum price, this price has not yet been specified.

Other changes include levying a "social responsibility fee" which would cover any expenses incurred by the local authority to "further the licensing objectives", banning off sales to under-21s and off-trade promotions such as 3 for 2s.

Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association, said: "The stance by Opposition parties against minimum pricing is to be welcomed but this legislation contains other measures which are equally unwelcome and equally unlikely to address the root causes of alcohol misuse.

"Despite the fact that the Government's own figures show overall alcohol consumption in Scotland is falling, ministers seem determined to pursue proposals which will hit innocent Scottish consumers and businesses.

"We wish to work with the Scottish Government and other stakeholders to develop policies that address the problem of alcohol misuse, including rigorous enforcement of existing legislation, systematic education in schools and widespread introduction of Community Alcohol Partnerships proven to deliver results."

Patrick Browne, chief executive of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association said: "This latest Bill will not be welcomed by most licensees as it proposes even more changes to Scotland's licensing laws before all of the current provisions have been fully enacted, let alone allowed to settle in.

"The Alcohol Bill will give the Scottish Parliament a welcome opportunity to rebalance the current unlevel playing field between on and off sales retailers."

He added: "In many other respects the Bill simply represents a rerun of many of the ideas and arguments that were ruled out of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005".