The Scottish Government's long fought plans for minimum pricing appeared at an end as opposition parties refused to include it in the Alcohol Bill at stage 2 - BBC report. A move to limit the amount of caffeine allowed in alcoholic drinks was also blocked but the remaining proposals were agreed.
The Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon had called for a 45 pence per unit price and had even offered a 'sunset clause' if it proved unsuccessful. But Scottish Labour, Lib Dems and Tories continued to repeat claims that it would 'punish responsible drinkers' or could be illegal under EU law. A Tory spokesperson instead backed the Coalition Government plans of banning below cost sales and reviewing tax. Sturgeon re-iterated concerns though that opposition to minimum pricing was not based on the evidence but was politically motivated, whilst health campaigners declared the decision a 'missed opportunity'.
For more see reports from the Herald and Morning Advertiser. See here for the Stage 1 report which reviews the evidence for the Bill's proposals.
Comments