MUP increase criticised by Scottish trade body
On Monday 30 September the Scottish Government announced the MUP would increase from 50p to 65p.
Under the new guidelines, a 700ml bottle of 40% ABV whisky will now cost a minimum of £18.20 while a 700ml bottle of 37.5% ABV vodka or gin will cost a minimum of £17.07.
It also means a 700ml bottle of 13% ABV wine will now cost at least £6.34 while a pack of four average-sized cans of beer at 5% will be priced no lower than £5.72.
Financial strain
A spokesperson for the Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) said: “The increase to MUP is unwelcome for both producers and consumers, particularly at this time of financial strain.
“The evaluation of MUP showed very little evidence of the policy having a positive effect on health outcomes and comes at a time when other parts of the world are deciding to ditch similar policies.
“The industry is dedicated to reducing alcohol related harms, but we remain unconvinced that increasing MUP is a proportionate and effective measure to deliver this.”
Minimum Unit Pricing, which aims to reduce alcohol-related harm by making the product less affordable, was first introduced in 2018 and the Scottish Government voted to increase the rate by 15p in 2024. It is not a tax and does not generate income for the Government.
Earlier this year, when details of the increase were first released, trade bodies gave mixed responses to the announcement.
Regulated settings
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) believed policies like MUP – and a cut in tax specifically on pints served in pubs– could encourage people to drink in the regulated settings instead of drinking cheaper supermarket alcohol at home.
However, the consumer organisation feared uprating MUP wouldn’t have an impact on its own to encourage pub-going.
Meanwhile, the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) described the decision as “disappointing”.
Though the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA), a long-time supporter of MUP for alcohol, welcomed the plans to retain the initiative in Scotland.
