Scottish Ministers propose set price for alcohol

Scottish officials have suggested a ‘floor price’ plan on alcohol in an attempt to tackle the nation's drinking problems.

The new report by the Alcohol Commission, set up by the Scottish Labour Party, proposes amongst a number of other guidelines that all alcohol sold below the combined cost of VAT, duty and production should be banned.

The report’s ‘floor price’ plan offers an alternative to the widely supported minimum price per unit scheme where one unit of alcohol must be sold for more than forty five pence.

Criticism of the report centers on the fact that the plan could actually lower some current alcohol prices. Barbara O’Donnell from Alcohol Focus Scotland, commented: “We are disappointed that the report proposes a measure which we believe would be almost impossible to implement and could see some products being sold for less than the price at which they are currently sold.

“A two-litre bottle of cider currently on sale for £1.32 would actually come down in price to eighty five pence.”

For Alcohol Focus Scotland, minimum pricing is “a simple, clear and effective pricing measure that would…lead to a reduction in the number of alcohol-related deaths.”

However, the Home Office still feels that other avenues must be reviewed. A spokesperson said: “We will work to stop the below-cost price sale of alcohol. It is not clear that national minimum unit pricing is the best way to achieve this so we need to look at other options.”

Further discontent has emerged from the report, which many claims simply hands a Scottish drinking problem back to Westminster.

Ms O’Donnell claims: “What Scotland needs is a Scottish solution to our love affair with alcohol which results in Scots drinking twenty five percent more than the rest of the UK.”

For students, the immediate impact is difficult to gauge.

Sam Hansford, Vice President of Services at EUSA, told the Journal: “Whilst EUSA has always had responsible drinking pricing, in terms of license sales, it might affect students.

“There is a reasonable chance that the prices will go up for students, even though students are pressured on their finances.”

For the time being, prices at EUSA venues will remain competitive with clubs and bars across Edinburgh.

Although EUSA prides itself on leading the way concerning alcohol pricing, Mr Hansford admitted: “There is a risk that, if EUSA clubs and bars do not price themselves competitively, students will go elsewhere.”

Other suggestions made in the report include a limit on the number of licenses in an area, as well as stopping alcohol companies sponsoring sports events. Strong emphasis was also given for councils and local organisations to attempt to encourage a cultural change, which is seen a key factor in any attempt to tackle Scottish drinking habits.