Why cost of alcohol in Wales may be set to rise

THE Welsh Government is considering raising the minimum alcohol price in Wales despite mixed reports on the effectiveness of the policy. Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) for alcohol in Wales came into force in March 2020.

- By OWEN HUGHES Chief Reporter

It was set at a rate of 50p per unit - a price point that impacted lower cost alcohol options like cheap high strength cider.

Action was then taken in a bid to reduce problem alcohol consumption.

Every year an estimated 699 people die as a direct consequence of their alcohol consumption in Wales. There are also an estimated 11,243 hospital admissions attributable to alcohol annually.

These harms are heavily concentrated in the heaviest drinkers, with 4.3% of drinkers drinking at harmful levels accounting for 30% of alcohol-attributable admissions, and 48% of alcohol-attributable deaths.

But in Wales there has so far been limited evidence of significant changes in purchasing and consumption behaviour for the majority of the population.

There is some indicative evidence that overall Welsh consumption was reduced, particularly from a retailers' study. Evidence from a similar policy in Scotland has shown reduced consumption.