Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Welsh government urged to raise minimum alcohol price

Shop window in Crickhowell high street selling a range of locally produced alcoholic drinks

Shop window in Crickhowell high street, in Powys, Wales, selling a range of locally produced alcoholic drinks

Photo: iStock

The Welsh government has been advised to increase the minimum price per unit of alcohol to at least 65p to maintain the positive impacts observed since the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol (MPA) in 2020.

This recommendation is the key finding from an independent evaluation report published on Wednesday, which assessed the policy’s effect on alcohol-related behaviours, consumption, and retail outcomes.


Wales introduced its MPA policy on 2 March 2020, setting a minimum price of 50p per unit. The legislation aimed to reduce hazardous and harmful drinking by targeting the affordability of cheap, high-strength alcohol. The policy followed Scotland’s lead, where a similar measure at 50p had already been implemented.

The report, covering the period up to June 2024, highlighted several positive outcomes from the implementation of MPA in Wales:

  • Reduction in cheap alcohol products: Certain high-strength, low-cost products, such as large volumes of cheap ciders and lagers, were removed from the market.
  • Retail compliance: Retailers across Wales consistently adhered to the minimum pricing rules.
  • Consumption shifts: There was evidence of consumers switching from cheap ciders and lagers to other beverages like wine and spirits.
  • Reduction in overall consumption: Indicative data showed that alcohol consumption, measured through purchasing behaviour, decreased among Welsh drinkers.

Notably, the policy had a greater impact on those drinking at harmful levels, with dependent drinkers and individuals seeking treatment experiencing more significant changes. However, the report acknowledged that the financial strain on low-income, heavy drinkers led to adverse effects, such as prioritising alcohol purchases over essentials like food or bills.

The evaluation report draws heavily on insights from Scotland’s experience with MPA, where a price increase to 65p has already been implemented.

“The obvious step would be to follow the Scottish lead and renew the legislation, and thus retain the policy option,” the report recommends. “Electing not to renew the MPA legislation and letting the ‘sunset clause’ take effect has certain implications. The most obvious of these is that Wales will see the return of the availability of cheaper alcohol products and the associated increase in harms.”

Moreover, the loss of the policy could make it challenging for the Welsh government to reintroduce MPA in the future without the UK government support, it noted.

Sarah Murphy, the Welsh minister for mental health and wellbeing, welcomed the evaluations and their findings. She added that MPA is only one component of Wales’s broader alcohol policy, which includes significant investments in substance misuse treatment services.

In a written statement, Murphy confirmed that the Welsh government is initiating a 12-week consultation with relevant stakeholders to inform its report on the operation and effect of the legislation.

The minister highlighted the robust enforcement of the policy by Trading Standards Wales, which has reported just six fines following over 3,000 inspections since the legislation’s introduction. She also acknowledged the evaluation’s findings that substitution of alcohol with illegal substances or significant cross-border shopping have not been major concerns.

The report’s findings align with international research that identifies affordability as a critical component of effective alcohol policy. Minimum pricing is recognised by the World Health Organisation as a ‘best buy’ for reducing alcohol harm.

More for you

Brits divided on acceptability of shoplifting,YouGov Poll

Brits divided on acceptability of shoplifting.

iStock image

Brits divided on acceptability of shoplifting amid rising retail crime

Some Brits believe that shoplifting can be acceptable, states a recent report, despite the country experiencing an epidemic of store thefts.

According to a recent YouGov poll of 2,150 adults, 40 per cent of the public agreed that shoplifting food was sometimes acceptable if a person could not afford the goods. More than half of those asked (51 per cent) said it was never acceptable.

Keep ReadingShow less
Footfall increased in January 2025.

Footfall increased in January 2025.

(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Footfall increased in January as shoppers head to stores: BRC

Shopper footfall received a welcome boost as many consumers hit the January sales in their local community, shows recent data, bringing a welcome news for high streets following a particularly difficult Golden Quarter to end 2024.

According to BRC-Sensormatic data released today (7), total UK footfall increased by 6.6 per cent in January (YoY), up from -2.2 per cent in December.

Keep ReadingShow less
New Ann Forshaw’s Milk Shed launches at SPAR Derwent in Keswick

New Ann Forshaw’s Milk Shed launches at SPAR Derwent in Keswick

SPAR Derwent shakes things up with new Milk Shed

SPAR Derwent in Keswick has become the latest store to introduce an Ann Forshaw’s Milk Shed, bringing fresh whole milk and delicious flavoured milkshakes to the local community.

The new Milk Shed follows successful launches at Ann Forshaw’s Alston Dairy and SPAR stores in Burnley and Milnthorpe.

Keep ReadingShow less
SPAR Cavehill celebrates former owner’s 70th birthday

SPAR Cavehill raised funds for Community Fire & Rescue Service as part of former owner’s 70th birthday celebrations

SPAR Cavehill celebrates former owner’s 70th birthday with charity fundraiser

Belfast’s SPAR Cavehill closed out 2024 with a heartwarming community celebration, marking the 70th birthday of former store owner Norman Porter while raising £800 for two local charities.

The event, organised by the store’s current owners, Frank Quigley and Norman’s daughter, Jenny Reilly, brought together staff, customers, and local residents to celebrate the milestone birthday and support SPAR’s charity partner, Marie Curie, as well as the Community Fire & Rescue Service.

Keep ReadingShow less
IQOS heat-not-burn device and a Marlboro cigarette pack

IQOS heat-not-burn device and a Marlboro cigarette pack

REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/Illustration/File Photo

PMI projects up to 12.5 per cent profit growth for 2025 amid strong smoke-free expansion

Philip Morris International (PMI) has forecast an increase of up to 12.5 per cent in adjusted diluted EPS for 2025, following a strong financial performance in 2024, driven by the continued expansion of its smoke-free product portfolio.

The company delivered a reported diluted EPS of $4.52 (£3.63), or $6.01 before a Canada non-cash impairment of $1.49, compared to $5.02 in 2023. Adjusted diluted EPS reached $6.57, representing growth of 9.3 per cent, and 15.6 per cent on a currency-neutral basis.

Keep ReadingShow less