Scotland: MUP to be set at 65p per unit

We refer to our news item earlier this week on the leaked new level of minimum unit pricing in Scotland.

The rumour machine on this occasion was right, the Deputy First Minister Shona Robison announced the plan on Thursday in a statement to Holyrood. The new rate is 65p, which will come into effect on 30 September.

Interestingly, Ms Robison had to announce the plans in the place of the former Health Secretary Michael Matheson, who resigned on Thursday morning.

She said the increase was due to inflation and more action being required to combat alcohol-related health problems.

The change will result in a large increase in cost and ironically will add value to the basket used to asses inflation, therefore potentially fuelling a call for another increase.

Product increases for the minimum price would be in the region of:

Whiskey: £14.00 to £18.20

Can of larger: £1 to £1.30

Red wine: £4.69 to £6.09