Minimum price of alcohol to increase from October
Minimum price of alcohol to increase from October
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Wales will extend its minimum pricing for alcohol policy and raise the minimum unit price from 50p to 65p after the Senedd approved new regulations, aligning the rate with Scotland.
The policy, which aims to reduce alcohol-related harm by curbing consumption among hazardous and harmful drinkers, has been in place since 2020.
The Welsh Government says the increase reflects the impact of inflation on the effectiveness of the original price level.
The new minimum price will come into effect on 1 October 2026.
Independent research commissioned by the Welsh Government estimates that raising the minimum unit price to 65p could prevent more than 900 alcohol-related deaths over the next 20 years and reduce the number of harmful drinkers by almost 5,000.
Following the vote, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Sarah Murphy MS, said: “Cheap, high-strength alcohol disproportionately affects hazardous and harmful drinkers.
“The evidence is clear – minimum unit pricing works.
“We have today taken a decision which will save lives and help protect many people from the harms caused by drinking too much alcohol.”
Alcohol Change UK also welcomed the decision.
Andrew Misell, the organisation’s Director for Wales, said: “Inflation has steadily eroded the impact of the minimum unit price since it was introduced in 2020.
“This increase restores the policy’s effectiveness and ensures it can continue to reduce the availability of the cheapest, strongest alcohol that causes the most harm.”
Minimum unit pricing was introduced in Wales in March 2020 under the Public Health (Minimum Unit Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Act 2018.
The legislation included a sunset clause that would have ended the policy in March 2026 without Senedd approval to extend it.
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