UK Government plans new rules for alcohol pricing

After Scottish MPs recently voted against the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol in Scotland, the UK coalition government is poised to introduce a ban on selling alcohol below the rate of duty and VAT - a different strategy to minimum pricing but with the same goal in mind to tackle binge drinking and alcohol misuse.

The move would effectively introduce a minimum price of at least £2 on a bottle of wine and would be easier and more straightforward to implement than a ‘below cost’ ban because of the variable trade cost of alcohol between retailers. The Wine & Spirit Trade Association welcomed the proposals but have always opposed plans for minimum pricing.