22-Mar-2013 By M&C Report
The Scottish Government has confirmed that it will look to lower the drink-drive limit in Scotland.
04-Jul-2012
Scotland, or at least the Scottish Government, is proud to find itself at the cutting edge of global alcohol policy. The decision to pioneer minimum unit pricing is a symbol of that, as much as a practical measure.
24-May-2012 By Michelle Perrett
The Scottish Parliament has passed the Alcohol Minimum Pricing Bill making way for its preferred minimum price of 50p per unit.
16-May-2012 By Michelle Perrett
The trade has raised concerns after the Scottish Government confirmed its preference for a 50p-per-unit minimum price for alcohol in Scotland — 5p higher than originally mooted.
02-Nov-2011 By Adam Pescod
The Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) has expressed “concern” about parts of the Minimum Pricing Bill published by the Scottish Government yesterday.
19-May-2011 By Michelle Perrett
A minimum pricing law could be introduced in Scotland as early as April next year, following the landslide victory of the Scottish National Party...
04-May-2011 By Lesley Foottit
The Scottish National Party has announced plans to grow and promote its pubs' and restaurants' use of local produce in its new manifesto.
28-Apr-2011 By Lesley Foottit
A Scottish trade chief has hit out at the ever-increasing burden of legislation and denounced minimum pricing plans.
11-Apr-2011 By Ewan Turney
Scottish politicians have clashed once again about introducing a minimum price on alcohol — on the Politics Show.
Leading police officer in Scotland supports minimum pricing
07-Apr-2011 By Graham Ridout
The chances of Scotland setting a minimum pricing policy on alcohol increased this week, after the move was supported by a leading police officer....
04-Apr-2011 By Michelle Perrett
Two senior Scottish ministers have clashed over how to tackle the country's 'booze and blades' crisis. According to a report from the Press...
15-Mar-2011 By Gurjit Degun
The Scottish National Party has vowed to revive its failed campaign to introduce a minimum price for alcohol.
Scots polluter pays levy is 'fraught with danger'
02-Mar-2011
Scottish Government plans to impose a social responsibility tax on pubs within the new Alcohol Act are "fraught with danger", according to the...
26-Jan-2011 By Lesley Foottit
Members of the Scottish Parliament will today hear evidence on proposals for a large retailer levy. Scottish finance secretary John Swinney, who...
Scots off-trade hit with promotions ban
11-Nov-2010 By James Wilmore
Scottish supermarkets and off-licences will be banned from offering "irresponsible" promotions on alcohol from next spring. A host of radical new...
11-Nov-2010 By John Harrington
MSPs have rejected new restrictions on pub drinks promotions in Scotland but paved the way for the controversial social responsibility fee and...
Scots minimum pricing plan faces D-day
10-Nov-2010 By James Wilmore
MSPs are facing pressure from both sides as they prepare to vote for the final time today on controversial plans to introduce a minimum price. The...
Scots minimum pricing plan rejected in final vote
10-Nov-2010 By James Wilmore
The Scottish government's bid to introduce a minimum price of 45p a unit has been rejected for a third and final time today. MSPs voted 76-49...
10-Nov-2010 By Michelle Perrett
Plans by the Scottish National Party to introduce a minimum 45p price per unit on alcohol has failed. It was voted down by 76 to 49 for the third...
22-Sep-2010 By John Harrington
The Scottish National Party (SNP) has slammed the "unholy alliance" of Labour and Tories for scuppering minimum pricing in Scotland.
SNP minimum price plan rejected
22-Sep-2010 By James Wilmore
The Scottish government has suffered a potentially fatal blow in its plan to bring in minimum pricing after opposition parties again rejected the...
Scots health groups to get say on licensing decisions
13-Sep-2010 By James Wilmore
Health boards in Scotland will be given the same powers as police over licensing decisions, under new government plans. As part of the SNP's Alcohol...
13-Sep-2010 By Ewan Turney
Health Boards are to be given new powers to object to licence applications in Scotland under an amendment to the Alcohol Bill.
'Alcohol price pilot plan will 'damage' Scottish Borders'
06-Sep-2010
An MSP has criticised a south of Scotland colleague who suggested the Borders should pilot plans for a minimum price per unit of alcohol. The SNP's...
Trade figures slam SNP's 45p price plan
03-Sep-2010
Scotland's proposal for a minimum price of 45p per unit of alcohol has been slammed by supermarket chiefs and trade figures. The announcement made...
SNP opts for 45p minimum price
02-Sep-2010
The Scottish government has today proposed that the minimum price of a unit of alcohol should be 45p. Scotland's Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon...
02-Sep-2010 By John Harrington
The Scottish Government has proposed setting a minimum price of 45p per unit, claiming it will mean 50 fewer deaths in the first year.
Alcohol Commission delivers minimum price blow
31-Aug-2010 By Matt Eley Matt
An influential report could scupper plans for minimum pricing in Scotland by dismissing it as a way of tackling irresponsible drinking. A report...
31-Aug-2010 By Ewan Turney
The Government should set a UK-wide "floor price" for alcohol based on the cost of production, duty and VAT rather than a minimum price, according to...
05-Aug-2010 By Ewan Turney
A controversial minimum price on alcohol scheme could be run in Scotland on a trial basis, the health secretary said.
SNP will consider 'any workable alternatives' to minimum pricing
05-Aug-2010 By James Wilmore
The Scottish government has said it is willing to consider "any workable alternatives" to a minimum price on alcohol, following a cross-party meeting...
MPs' bid to block VAT rise fails
14-Jul-2010 By James Wilmore
A cross-party bid to stop a hike in VAT to 20 per cent next year has failed in Parliament. A proposed amendment to the Budget-enabling Finance Bill...
01-Jul-2010 By Ewan Turney
Anyone applying for a premises licence in Scotland will have to state what they've done to abide by disability discrimination laws, after an...
29-Jun-2010 By Lesley Foottit
The Confederation of British Industry in Scotland (CBI Scotland) has "serious misgivings" over minimum pricing of alcohol.
Frustration as minimum price plan hits 'end of the road'
17-Jun-2010
Licensees have revealed their disappointment at plans for minimum pricing in Scotland appearing to hit a dead end. The Scottish government has been...
11-Jun-2010 By John Harrington
Labour and Tory MSPs have tried to block plans to introduce minimum pricing in Scotland but paved the way for other measures that could hit pubs.
Roy Beers: Don't let the Libservatives make your business 'a nice little earner'
21-May-2010
And also, it has to be said, not a little confusion. In Edinburgh Alex Salmond's minority SNP government is hell bent on delivering minimum pricing,...
29-Apr-2010 By John Harrington
Next week Britain goes to the polls — download the definitive summary of what each party's policies would mean for the pub trade.
Roy Beers: SNP isolated over minimum pricing
09-Feb-2010
Press releases from aggrieved Nat MSPs continue to argue that with the whole of the medical profession as well as the police and the Scottish...
Tennent's boss backs Scottish minimum pricing
25-Jan-2010 By James Wilmore
The boss of one of Scotland's biggest drinks brands has backed the government's controversial plans for minimum pricing. Mike Lees, managing...
Licensee takes on supermarket giants
12-Jan-2010 By James Wilmore
A determined Scottish licensee is taking on three supermarket giants in a bid to prove their cut-price alcohol deals fall foul of the new licensing...
Disabled pub-goer's campaign goes national
07-Dec-2009 By James Wilmore
A disabled pub-lover's campaign to help people identify wheelchair-friendly venues has hit Parliament and could result in a change in the law. Mark...
02-Dec-2009 By John Harrington
The Scottish Government has abandoned plans to force pubs to serve wine in 125ml servings, says trade chief Patrick Browne.
Roy Beers: No minimum pricing - just maximum policing
01-Dec-2009
The min pricing saga has been on the go so long that the actual announcement has been a complete anticlimax, particularly as the SNP's political...
Can the Scots put a price on it?
11-Nov-2009 By James Wilmore
Will minimum pricing in Scotland become a reality? Or will it get thrown out by opposition parties? MSPs on both sides of the argument certainly show...
Glasgow pubs get emergency three-month licensing extension
05-Nov-2009
Pubs in Glasgow have been given an extra three months to have a premises licence in place following further chaos in the wake of the new regime....
Minimum price would 'save hundreds of lives'
28-Sep-2009 By Matt Eley Matt
A minimum price for alcohol of 40p per unit and a ban on off-sales promotions would save hundreds of lives in Scotland, according to new research....
SNP claims EC green light for minimum pricing
09-Sep-2009
The ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) says the the European Commission has made it "perfectly plain" that plans to introduce a minimum price for...
03-Sep-2009 By Ewan Turney
The closure of the Johnnie Walker bottling plant in Kilmarnock could cost the local economy £15m a year, the Scottish finance minister has warned....
27-Aug-2009 By Ewan Turney
Under fire Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has now angered the pub trade by taking holiday just days before the new regime is set to go live.
