Minimum Unit Pricing

Scottish Government to recommend 50p minimum price per unit of alcohol

26-Feb-2018 By Georgina Townshend

The Scottish Government plans to introduce 50p minimum unit pricing for alcohol on 1 May 2018, Health Secretary Shona Robison has confirmed.

What does the minimum unit pricing law in Scotland mean for pubs?

15-Nov-2017 By Stuart Stone

The UK Supreme Court has ruled that Scotland can set a minimum unit price for alcohol, thereby rejecting a challenge by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

Lords’ Licensing Act Review: what are the odds for change?

23-May-2017 By Claire Churchard

It’s more than a month since The House of Lords select committee published proposals for a “major overhaul” of the 2003 Licensing Act. But how many of the Lords’ recommendations are likely to be implemented by the next Government?

General Election 2017

Lib Dem manifesto pledges minimum unit pricing for alcohol

17-May-2017 By Georgina Townshend

The Liberal Democrat Party has said it wants to introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol in its pre-election manifesto to “help people stay healthy”.

Health

MPs call for minimum unit pricing and lower drink-drive limit

06-Dec-2016 By Nicholas Robinson

Government will look at whether minimum unit pricing and a reduction in the drink-drive limit in England will help tackle drink-related crimes and health problems, despite rejecting similar plans in 2013.

Licensing

Supermarkets claim 'no evidence' of weekend pre-loading

22-Nov-2016 By Liam Coleman

A representative of Waitrose has said that the company sees “no evidence” of pre-loading at the House of Lords review of the Licensing Act 2003, which also saw a representative of Sainsbury’s give similar evidence.

Licensing law

Licensing Act investigators release questions for off-trade retailers

21-Nov-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

The Lords Committee has released the questions it will be asking supermarkets following JDW boss Tim Martin calling on the committee to grill the retail giants over VAT

Licensing Act

Health experts call for greater distinction between on and off-trade sales

25-Oct-2016 By Liam Coleman

Health experts have called for a greater distinction between on and off-trade sales at a House of Lords review of the Licensing Act 2003.

Legislation

Scotland backs minimum alcohol pricing

21-Oct-2016 By Nicholas Robinson

Minimum alcohol pricing plans have been backed by the Scottish courts, to the dismay of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR), which slammed the move.

Licensing Act 2003

Lords licensing committee to quiz think-tanks on Act

18-Jul-2016 By James Evison

The House of Lords committee assessing the Licensing Act 2003 and the liberalisation of opening hours will hear from experts tomorrow (Tuesday 19 July).

Minimum alcohol pricing

The price is right? Minimum pricing is no panacea for the pub trade

23-Dec-2015 By Ed Bedington

The news that European judges have ruled Scottish plans to bring in minimum unit pricing for alcohol contrary to European law sounds like a good story for the drinks trade.

Minimum unit pricing plans halted by European law

23-Dec-2015 By Jessica Mason

The campaign to bring in minimum unit pricing (MUP) on alcohol has suffered a blow after EU judges ruled the Scottish government's plans to introduce such a scheme is contrary to European law.

Bitter blow for Scottish minimum unit pricing plans

03-Sep-2015 By Minimum pricing

The Scottish Government’s plans to introduce minimum pricing have suffered a bitter blow after the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice said the move infringed EU rules on free trade.

House of Lords report calls for introduction of minimum unit pricing

06-Mar-2015 By James Wallin, M&C Report

The House of Lords has recommended tighter regulation on the consumption of alcohol, including introducing minimum unit pricing, a variable tax rate in line with alcoholic strength and mandatory rules on alcohol labelling.

Scotland's minimum pricing plan referred to European court

30-Apr-2014 By James Wallin

The Scottish Government’s plan to introduce a minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol has been referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Scottish legal challenge to alcohol minimum pricing fails

03-May-2013 By John Harrington

A legal challenge against minimum pricing of alcohol in Scotland has failed.

PM David Cameron "determined" to fight cut price alcohol

14-Mar-2013 By Michelle Perrett

Prime Minister David Cameron confirmed he is still determined to fight against deep discounted alcohol - despite claims yesterday that plans for minimum unit pricing are likely to be shelved.

Paul Chase: What does 2013 hold for alcohol policy?

22-Feb-2013 By Paul Chase

I expect two main trends in alcohol policy as we move forward in 2013.

Alcohol minimum pricing: the industry responds

28-Nov-2012

The Government has proposed a minimum price for alcohol of 45p per unit in a consultation on its Alcohol Strategy. Here are the reactions from key people in the pub trade and beyond.

Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand reiterates his support for minimum pricing

27-Nov-2012 By John Harrington

Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand has reiterated his support for introducing a minimum price for alcohol ahead of the Government’s expected consultation on the measure.

Linking minimum pricing to inflation is a "real concern" claims British Beer & Pub Association

18-Sep-2012 By Gurjit degun

Linking minimum pricing to inflation will mean that the basic unit price will only increase which is a "real concern"  the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has stated.

European decision over Scotland minimum pricing extended to year end after Bulgaria objects

17-Sep-2012 By Michelle Perrett

The European Commission (EC) will not make a decision over Scotland's proposals for a minimum pricing scheme of 50p per unit until the end of the year.

Act now to Save our Scrumpy

02-May-2012 By Pete Brown

If we care about rural traditions then we should all act now to save our farmhouse cider-making industry, argues Pete Brown.

Treasury questions No 10 alcohol minimum price push

16-Apr-2012

High-ranking Treasury officials have admitted that there are questions over the legality of David Cameron’s plans for a minimum alcohol unit pricing policy, according to drinks industry sources.