First introduced in Wales in 2020, MUP ensures that one unit of alcohol – 10ml of pure alcohol – cannot be sold for less than 50p. This means an average bottle of wine – around 10 units of alcohol – must be priced no lower than £5 and a pint of beer or cider – about 2½ units – at least £1.25.
This had no effect on prices in Wales’ pubs, which were already well above these levels. Where it made a real difference was in shops. It got rid of big bottles of super-strength cider from the shelves; removed many of the cheapest spirits from sale; and made it more difficult for supermarkets to offer multi-buy discounts, such as three bottles of wine for the price of two.
Yet, MUP doesn’t solve alcohol problems on its own. To do that, we must make sure we have services in place that can reach the most vulnerable drinkers and support them into recovery. That includes those who report going without food in order to afford alcohol; not by making alcohol cheaper, but by improving their access to food and wider support. That’s why Alcohol Change UK worked with Barod and the Nelson Trust to develop the Feeding Recovery Handbook, setting out practical ways that local services can help people with alcohol problems to eat more and better food.
We all know that inflation rates have been high over the last few years. MUP has been in force in Wales for just over five years, and the original 50p level has not kept up with price increases. For MUP to do in 2025 what it was doing in 2020, it needs to rise from 50p to 65p, as has already happened in Scotland.
This will allow the measure to continue to keep the cheapest, strongest drinks, which cause severe harm to the heaviest drinkers, out of the shops by making it harder for supermarkets to sell them at discounted prices, whilst not penalising pubs.
