Ban on below cost sales of alcohol will benefit England and Wales – SNP must ensure it is implemented in Scotland too

The UK Government has announced a ban on the below cost sale of alcohol – a pledge made in the Coalition Agreement, and one the Scottish Conservatives have continually called for.

However, the SNP Government has still not committed to introducing the measure north of the border as well.

Murdo Fraser MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health & Wellbeing, said:

"I warmly welcome this move by the UK Government for a ban on below cost sales of alcohol in England. This is exactly what we have called for in Scotland for over a year now.

"I recently wrote to the Scottish Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon urging her to adopt this approach as well, but regrettably her response was lukewarm. So I repeat my call to her and the SNP today - join with us and ban sales of alcohol below cost price in Scotland, so that the whole of the UK can take concerted action.

"In the meantime, we will continue to press for further targeted action on problem drinks and more concerted help for problem drinkers."

1) On December 6th 2010, Murdo Fraser wrote to Nicola Sturgeon asking the SNP Government to implement the ban on the below cost sale of alcohol, if the UK Government went ahead with these proposals (as it is now doing).

Attached is her reply.

2) Scottish Conservatives first called for a ban on below cost sales of alcohol in January 2010.

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