Minimum alcohol pricing could rise as Welsh Government ponders 15p increase

The minimum price of a unit of alcohol could rise under new Welsh Government plans.

The minimum pricing was introduced in 2020 in a bid to reduce alcohol-related deaths and illnesses in Wales.

However, the Welsh Government is now consulting on whether to maintain the current Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) of 50p, or increase it to 65p.

The government says data shows the increase could reduce harmful alcohol consumption and encourage more people to drink at moderate levels.

It could also lower the number of “hazardous drinkers” by more than 6,300 and “harmful drinkers” by nearly 5,000, reducing hospital admissions and alcohol-related deaths.

Sarah Murphy, minister for mental health and wellbeing, said: “Since we brought minimum unit pricing into place there has been a pandemic, a cost-of-living crisis and high inflation.

“Despite all of these, research through independent evaluations has shown the policy, which is not a tax, has had a positive impact and has helped reduce levels of harmful drinking.”

She continued: “We’re consulting on raising the level as high inflation has made the 50p rate ineffective and reduced its value in real terms to 39p in 2020 prices.

“Due to this it is no longer significantly influencing the price of the cheapest alcohol and we need to review it.”

The consultation launched earlier this week and is open until September 29.