Scotland backs away from minimum pricing on alcoholic drinks

The Scottish government has retreated from its proposals to set a minimum price on alcoholic drinks.

During a cross-party summit on alcohol this week, opposition parties rejected the Health Minister Nicola Sturgeon's idea to include a 'sunset clause' in its Alcohol Bill that would allow for a trial of minimum pricing over a set period.

Instead, Scotland's opposition parties are campaigning for a ban on the sale of below-cost alcohol and to increase duty levels.

After the summit, Sturgeon said The Scottish government has proposed minimum pricing as the most effective way of tackling alcohol misuse

Signaling her change of stance, she added, 'However, following today's meeting we will consider any workable alternatives, and as a result have asked the opposition parties to submit further details on what they have proposed today.'