Minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Wales

The Health and Social Care Committee is holding a short written inquiry with a view to providing a response to the Welsh Government’s report and consultation on the operation and effect of Minimum Unit Price (MUP) for Alcohol.

 

The Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Act 2018 was implemented on 2 March 2020. The Act introduced a Minimum Unit Price (MUP) for Alcohol, setting a price of 50p per unit of alcohol. This means alcohol cannot be sold in Wales at less than 50p per unit.  Alongside other policies addressing alcohol related harm, MUP aims to reduce alcohol-related harm by increasing the cost of cheap, high-strength alcohol, which is often linked to harmful alcohol consumption and related health issues.

 

The Act includes a sunset clause, which means that minimum pricing for alcohol will end in Wales in March 2026 unless the Welsh Government takes action to extend it. The Act also requires the Welsh Government to report on the operation and effect of the legislation.

 

In January 2025, the Welsh Government published the final reports of the independent evaluation it had commissioned on the operation and effect of MUP. It is also undertaking a consultation to gather views on awareness of minimum unit pricing in Wales and its impact.

 

To inform this piece of work, we would welcome your views on the matters listed below in relation to minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Wales. Alternatively, if you have already responded to the Welsh Government’s consultation, you may prefer to share that response with us.

 

Public understanding of MUP

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>>>Minimum unit pricing is a targeted health improvement measure which aims to reduce alcohol consumption among people drinking at harmful levels. How effectively has the purpose of the legislation been communicated to the general public and to businesses affected?

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Impact of MUP

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>>>What impact has minimum unit pricing had on alcohol-related harm in Wales?

>>>What impact has the introduction of minimum pricing had on particular groups, including:

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***vulnerable and dependent drinkers

***children and young people

***low income households

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>>>What impact has the introduction of minimum pricing in Wales had on (i) retailers and (ii) local authorities?

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Future of MUP in Wales

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>>>Should minimum unit pricing continue in Wales? Why?

>>>Should the current minimum unit price of 50p be reviewed? Why?

>>>Minimum unit pricing is intended as one of a range of policy approaches to tackling alcohol-related harm. Do any other approaches need to be considered/strengthened in order to reduce alcohol-related harm in Wales?

>>>What impact has minimum unit pricing had on the need for alcohol treatment and support services?

>>>What impact has minimum unit pricing had on the risk of substituting alcohol for more dangerous and illegal substances?

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Evidence gathering

We want to make sure that our work is informed by experiences, needs, and views that reflect the diversity of the people and communities affected by these issues.

 

We encourage anyone with expertise or experience of these issues to share your views, with the full knowledge that your views will be welcomed and valued.

 

The closing date for submissions is 30 April 2025.

 

Along with your submission, you should provide the following information:

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>>>Your name and contact details as the person, or organisation, submitting the evidence.

>>>Whether your evidence is submitted as an individual, or on behalf of an organisation.

>>>If you are submitting evidence as an individual, confirmation that you are over 18 years old.

>>>If you are under 13 years old, your parent or guardian’s agreement that you can participate (this can be provided via email).

>>>Confirmation of whether you would prefer that your name is not published alongside your evidence (names of individuals under 18 years old will not be published).

>>>Confirmation of whether you would like the Committee to treat any or all of your written evidence as confidential, with reasons for the request.

>>>If you have referred to a third party in your evidence, such as a parent, spouse or relative, confirmation that they have agreed that you can share information that may be used to identify them and that they understand that it will be published.

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How to share your views

To share your views electronically, please send to SeneddHealth@senedd.wales, or by post to:

 

Health and Social Care Committee,
Welsh Parliament,
Cardiff,
CF99 1SN.

 

Providing Written Evidence

The Senedd has two official languages, Welsh and English.

 

In line with the Senedd’s Official Languages Scheme, the Committee welcomes contributions in both or either of our official languages, and we ask organisations that are subject to Welsh Language standards or schemes to respond in line with their own obligations. Please inform the Committee when submitting responses if you intend to provide a translation at a later date.

 

Please see guidance for those providing evidence for committees.

 

Disclosure of information

Please ensure that you have considered the Senedd’s policy on disclosure of information before submitting information to the Committee.