Sarah Murphy MS, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing
The Senedd passed the Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Act 2018 and subsequent regulations to set and introduce a 50p minimum unit price for alcohol. This came into force on 2 March 2020, immediately before the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
The legislation aims to help tackle alcohol-related harm by reducing the amount of alcohol consumed by hazardous and harmful drinkers. Minimum unit pricing combats the sale of alcohol at very low prices, which is drunk in large volumes and can put people at long-term risk of cancer, stroke, heart disease, liver disease and brain damage. It is targeted at protecting the health of hazardous and harmful drinkers who tend to consume greater quantities of low-cost and high-alcohol content products.
Building on research elsewhere, notably in Scotland, independent evaluations of the Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Act have been undertaken via four complementary studies, each looking at different aspects of its implementation. The final reports are being today published at Research into minimum pricing for alcohol | GOV.WALES.
Assessing the impact of the legislation against the backdrop of the pandemic, persistently high levels of inflation and the cost-of-living crisis has been challenging. However, the studies suggest the legislation has been broadly welcomed and implemented in an effective fashion.
The Welsh Government has enjoyed an excellent working relationship with Trading Standards Wales in the enforcement of the legislation, which reported just six fines following more than 3,000 inspections.
The contribution analysis report, which draws on a suite of studies and evidence from around the world, concludes that we “should renew rather than lose the option of the legislation as an alcohol policy measure in Wales”. The report also recommends increasing the level of the minimum unit price to at least 65p to sustain the policy’s value and the positive impacts observed so far.
The evaluation suggests a near-universal agreement among service providers and professionals that minimum pricing policy should not be abolished, with some suggesting a gradual price increase per unit, to ensure it remains in line with inflation.
The evidence shows the legislation has had an impact on the sale of cheap, high-strength alcohol products, with prices increasing. This has resulted in customers purchasing less of this type of product and fewer retailers stocking them. This is a positive step towards reducing alcohol-related harm and supporting people to drink responsibly in Wales.
Concerns were raised during the passage of the legislation about people substituting alcohol for other illegal substances and about cross-border shopping. The evaluations found minimal evidence to suggest individuals who were primary drinkers (and not already using drugs) were likely to start using drugs as a result of higher alcohol prices. Evidence of cross-border shopping appears to be small scale and most evident among communities living close to the border.
Under the terms of the Act, we must provide a report on the operation and effect of the legislation. In preparing this report, we must consult the Senedd and others, as appropriate. The findings of these evaluations and the wider evidence-base will inform this report, and I have approved a 12-week consultation with relevant stakeholders, whose input will contribute to the report. This will include capturing the views of the public via ongoing survey research undertaken by Public Health Wales. I will also be writing to the Health and Social Care Committee asking it to consider undertaking a short call for evidence on minimum unit pricing.