News: Scottish Minimum Pricing Bill Imminent

  • Date: 08/09/2011
  • Source: Poppleston Allen
  • Author/Solicitor: Graeme Cushion


The back drop of this latest development is the stated figure of £3.56 billion per annum as the total cost of alcohol misuse in Scotland.

The Scottish National Party tried to introduce a minimum price last year through its alcohol bill but the plan failed due to a lack of adequate support from opposition MSPs.

The latest plan comes in the form of the Alcohol Minimum Pricing Bill which it is said will be introduced in autumn 2011.

A unit price will not be included as the Scottish Government has said that it wants to keep separate the principles of the measure and the actual price, allowing each to be scrutinised separately.

The stated aim of the bill is to protect the public health, although the stated cost above is obviously also a factor.

We will keep you informed.



For more information please contact Graeme Cushion