On 2 March 2020, minimum unit pricing is being introduced in Wales - here we explain the background to the measure, the benefits it will bring, and why efforts to introduce it in England remain stalled.
Minimum unit pricing (MUP) sets a baseline price for a unit of alcohol, below which it can’t be sold. That means that it increases the price of very cheap, strong alcohol, and this reduces the harm alcohol causes. A minimum unit price of 50p is already in place in Scotland, and on 2 March 2020 was introduced in Wales.
No single policy can solve every alcohol problem, but we at Alcohol Change UK – along with our 50 or so partners in the Alcohol Health Alliance – think that Scotland and Wales are heading in the right direction in this case.
For an explanation of how minimum pricing works and how it will affect you if you live in Wales, go to our short Q&A.
