'World-leading' SNP levy on our booze buys falls flat

The SNP's controversial minimum unit pricing policy has failed yet again as new data revealed that people in Scotland are drinking 50% above safe limits, with more deprived communities hit hardest.

- By David Walker

Scots are charged more to buy booze at shops than their English counterparts, with claims that this would save lives when it was first introduced.

However, after it was assessed, this claim was quietly dropped in favour of reducing alcohol intake, with drink-related deaths hitting their highest level in 15 years in 2024.

Despite evidence the policy wasn't working as effectively as claimed, the minimum price was raised last years from 50p to 65p a unit, meaning a typical 12.5% bottle of wine cannot be sold for less than £6.09 and a can of lager will be at least £1.30.