Minimum price law could be introduced across UK
Bargain booze deals are to be outlawed as the first minimum price for alcohol is introduced in the UK.
Supermarkets will now be forced to charge at least 45p per unit of alcohol, under the scheme unveiled by the Scottish government yesterday.
Separately, ten local authorities around Manchester are pushing for the introduction of a 50p minimum figure per unit under local bylaws.
That scheme, which has been given tacit support by David Cameron, could be adopted by other councils around the country.
End of the road: Bargain alcohol deals could be stamped out by minimum pricing (picture posed by models)
Under the 45p scheme, a supermarket offering a special deal of 24 cans of 4 per cent lager for just ?9 would have to charge a minimum of ?16.72.
A two-litre bottle of supermarketbrand cider would treble in price from ?1.32 to almost ?3.80, while supermarket-brand vodka would go up from ?8 to ?11.80. Whisky would increase from ?9.20 to ?12.60.
The proposals, championed by the Scottish National Party, aim to deter binge-drinking and the associated ill-health and violence.
However, the change is expected to see hundreds of thousands of Scots heading to supermarkets over the border to continue stocking up on cheap booze in England.
Supermarkets are challenging the policy, claiming it will unfairly penalise sensible customers.
Richard Taylor, Morrisons director of corporate affairs, said: 'Morrisons does not support a minimum unit price which would only serve to punish our customers.'
The Scotch Whisky Association said the policy would 'significantly damage' the industry as well as punishing low-income families and the elderly.
Economists suggest the 45p minimum will mean drinkers in Scotland pay an extra ?236million a year.
However, SNP Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon claimed it would save the Scottish government some ?700million over ten years, largely through reduced ill-health.
She claimed it would mean 50 fewer deaths from alcohol in the first year, as well as 1,200 fewer hospital admissions and 22,900 fewer days' absence from work.
While the policy has support from the medical profession, the main opposition parties in Scotland - labour Tories and Liberal Democrats - have vowed to vote it down.
Miss Sturgeon drew parallels with the ban on smoking in public places, which was first introduced in Scotland and then across the UK.
However, the centre for Economics and Business Research said its calculations suggested harmful drinkers would cut down by only 2.7 units per week, less than one pint of Continental-strength lager, adding the move 'could have a genuine negative economic impact in terms of jobs, trade and costs to the consumer'.
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Ban on bargain booze: Minimum price law could be introduced across UK | Mail Online
Bargain booze deals are to be outlawed as the first minimum price for alcohol is introduced in the UK.
Supermarkets will now be forced to charge at least 45p per unit of alcohol, under the scheme unveiled by the Scottish government yesterday.
Separately, ten local authorities around Manchester are pushing for the introduction of a 50p minimum figure per unit under local bylaws.
That scheme, which has been given tacit support by David Cameron, could be adopted by other councils around the country.
End of the road: Bargain alcohol deals could be stamped out by minimum pricing (picture posed by models)Under the 45p scheme, a supermarket offering a special deal of 24 cans of 4 per cent lager for just ?9 would have to charge a minimum of ?16.72.
A two-litre bottle of supermarketbrand cider would treble in price from ?1.32 to almost ?3.80, while supermarket-brand vodka would go up from ?8 to ?11.80. Whisky would increase from ?9.20 to ?12.60.
The proposals, championed by the Scottish National Party, aim to deter binge-drinking and the associated ill-health and violence.
However, the change is expected to see hundreds of thousands of Scots heading to supermarkets over the border to continue stocking up on cheap booze in England.
Supermarkets are challenging the policy, claiming it will unfairly penalise sensible customers.
Richard Taylor, Morrisons director of corporate affairs, said: 'Morrisons does not support a minimum unit price which would only serve to punish our customers.'
The Scotch Whisky Association said the policy would 'significantly damage' the industry as well as punishing low-income families and the elderly.
Economists suggest the 45p minimum will mean drinkers in Scotland pay an extra ?236million a year.
However, SNP Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon claimed it would save the Scottish government some ?700million over ten years, largely through reduced ill-health.
She claimed it would mean 50 fewer deaths from alcohol in the first year, as well as 1,200 fewer hospital admissions and 22,900 fewer days' absence from work.
While the policy has support from the medical profession, the main opposition parties in Scotland - labour Tories and Liberal Democrats - have vowed to vote it down.
Miss Sturgeon drew parallels with the ban on smoking in public places, which was first introduced in Scotland and then across the UK.
However, the centre for Economics and Business Research said its calculations suggested harmful drinkers would cut down by only 2.7 units per week, less than one pint of Continental-strength lager, adding the move 'could have a genuine negative economic impact in terms of jobs, trade and costs to the consumer'.
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Ban on bargain booze: Minimum price law could be introduced across UK | Mail Online
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