Time to scrap SNP’s blanket minimum pricing plans

Scottish Conservatives are calling on the other opposition parties to scrap the SNP's plans for indiscriminate blanket minimum pricing, and focus on solutions that can really tackle Scotland's drink problem.

Stage 2 of the Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Bill is being debated by the Scottish Parliament's Health & Sport Committee tomorrow, and Scottish Conservatives have an amendment down to remove indiscriminate blanket minimum pricing from the Bill.

Mary Scanlon MSP, Scottish Conservative Health spokesperson and a member of the Committee, said:

"There is simply no political support for the SNP's blanket minimum pricing. These plans would penalise responsible drinkers, harm the Scotch whisky industry, cost jobs and is probably illegal.

"As the Scottish Conservatives have consistently said, alongside banning below cost price sales, the most effective method is to target problem drinks with extra tax and duty on a UK wide basis. This avoids responsible drinkers being penalised, would be more effective at reducing consumption, stop any notion of ‘booze cruises' to Carlisle or Berwick and mean that any extra revenue goes to the taxpayer.

"Some problem drinks will be unaffected, and others such as many whiskies will rocket in price, proving that the SNP policy of blanket indiscriminate minimum pricing is a blunt instrument. Far better that we target problem drinks and target help at problem drinkers, rather than costing sensible consumers an estimated £236million a year - the majority of which will be extra revenue for the retailers.

"Common sense, economics, and public opinion have all called time on the SNP's plans. It is time for them to join the growing consensus that there is a better way, which is why I am tabling this amendment to scrap the SNP's blanket minimum pricing. I hope this will be supported by the other parties."

Mary Scanlon's amendment number 1 to the Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Bill at Committee Stage calls for Section 1 of the Bill to be left out, thus removing all mention of minimum pricing from the Bill.

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