The news comes as pubs in Wales could be facing an increase in MUP from 50p to 65p and leading health experts have called for MUP to be extended.
The Welsh Government has announced that it is consulting on both maintaining the MUP for alcohol in Wales beyond March 2026 and raising the unit price.
It said that modelling data suggests raising the MUP to 65p per unit could further reduce harmful alcohol consumption, as well as encourage more people to drink at moderate levels instead.
Strategy
Both Scotland and Wales have minimum unit alcohol schemes. Scotland’s currently sits at 65p per alcohol unit. But England has not implemented such a scheme.
The news comes as leading voices from across the public health, medical and treatment sectors have written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, to call for an urgent and ambitious strategy to address rising alcohol harm.
The 34 signatories – including clinicians, researchers, treatment specialists, medical royal colleges, and charities – warned that alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions are continuing to rise, disproportionately impacting the most deprived communities.
Marketing restrictions
They have called for an extension to MUP to include England as well as stronger marketing restrictions and increased taxation on alcohol.
However, David Chapman, executive director of UKHospitality Cymru said: “UKHospitality believes MUP policy is ineffective. We’re concerned about the impact it could have on responsible consumers and hospitality businesses. If the Welsh Government is considering raising the level, it must be based on clear, independent evidence as it risks undermining the sector and penalising the vast majority who enjoy drinking responsibly.”
