Reminder – Wales increases minimum unit price for alcohol

The Welsh Government has confirmed that the minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol supplied from premises in Wales will increase from 50p to 65p per unit from 1 October 2026.

The MUP requirements apply to alcohol supplied from certain ‘qualifying’ premises in Wales. This includes premises authorised under a premises licence or club premises certificate under the Licensing Act 2003, as well as alcohol supplied under a Temporary Event Notice (TEN). The requirements also apply to online and telephone sales where alcohol is despatched from qualifying premises in Wales to a person in Wales.

Minimum unit pricing was introduced in Wales in March 2020 under the Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Act 2018. In February 2026, the Welsh Government made regulations continuing the minimum pricing regime and increasing the minimum unit price from 50p to 65p. The revised rate brings Wales into line with Scotland, where the minimum unit price is also currently 65p. The increase will take effect on 1 October 2026.

The minimum price is calculated using the following formula:

Minimum unit price × strength (%) × volume (litres) = minimum selling price

The MUP requirements apply to all alcoholic products with an ABV above 1.2%. However, the increase to 65p per unit will only require a price increase where the current selling or supply price is below the applicable minimum price.

Selling or supplying alcohol below the applicable minimum price is an offence. The 2018 Act also amended Schedule 4 to the Licensing Act 2003 so that an offence under the 2018 Act of selling alcohol below the MUP is a relevant offence for the purposes of personal licences.

For further information, please feel free to contact Poppleston Allen 0115 9538500