Plans to introduce a minimum price for alcohol in Wales are back on the agenda after the Welsh Government announced its legislative priorities for the next 12 months.
In the first of five bills, legislation will be introduced that will make it illegal for alcohol to be sold below a set price.
Moves to introduce a minimum price of 50p per unit were first unveiled in July 2015 but were scrapped because of an ongoing court case between the Scottish Government, which also wants to introduce minimum pricing, and the Scotch Whisky Association.
Its appeal against a minimum price in Scotland is expected to be heard by the Supreme Court next month.
Other proposals in the legislative programme include scrapping letting “unfair” agents’ fees and offering 30 hours of free childcare for working parents of children aged between three and four.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “The bills we intend to introduce during the second year of this Assembly will support our efforts to build a Wales that is healthy and active, prosperous and secure, ambitious and learning and united and connected.
“The five bills will tackle harmful alcohol consumption, help support working parents, protect tenants from unfair fees and reform and improve local government.”
But plans to introduce a minimum price may face a stumbling block. The Wales Act 2017 sets out a new reserved powers list for Wales’ devolution settlement – with the licensing of alcohol being on that list.
A Welsh Government spokesman said it believed powers to introduce minimum pricing was within its competence: “We first consulted on a draft Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Bill in 2015 and published a summary of all consultation responses in March 2016.
“The majority of stakeholders were supportive of our plans to introduce a minimum price for alcohol, recognising the importance of the price of alcohol in affecting levels of consumption amongst harmful and hazardous drinkers.
“Following the election, the current Welsh Government has been monitoring developments in Scotland, prior to making a final decision on whether to introduce similar legislation in Wales.
“Tackling alcohol misuse remains a key priority for us and it is critical we use the levers we have available in Wales in order to support people to improve their health and reduce inequalities. One of those levers, which we are confident is within our competence, is introducing legislation on minimum pricing for alcohol.”
However, a spokesperson for the UK Government said: “The UK Government will assess the legislative competence of any Welsh Government legislation that is introduced, as is standard practice with all Welsh Assembly Bills.”
The British Medical Association (BMA), which represents doctors, has welcomed the move.
Dr Phil Banfield, Chair BMA Cymru Wales Welsh Council, said: “We wholeheartedly welcome Welsh Government’s announcement to introduce legislation making it illegal for alcohol to be sold below a set price, as there is robust evidence that this will help reduce excessive alcohol consumption and misuse.
“BMA Cymru Wales has previously called for such measures; namely to implement a minimum price for alcohol, to ensure that alcohol cannot be sold below cost – in effect making it cheaper than water to purchase.
“Whilst alcohol in moderation forms part of many people’s social behaviour, alcohol excess or addiction destroys lives. It is associated with crime, violence and anti-social behaviour, and can impact significantly on family and community life.
“We believe that such a move will save lives through a reduction in alcohol consumption and firmly upholds people’s health as a priority in Wales.”