Drinks price law set to be diluted

Published on Saturday 7 November 2009 19:02

A CONTROVERSIAL law setting a minimum price on alcohol could be watered down to reduce the immediate impact of price rises on cheap drink.

Industry sources say the Scottish Government may accept a compromise in which only "enabling legislation" is passed in parliament, which would enshrine the principle of a floor price on drink.

Under such legislation, MSPs would then have to vote again, either in parliament or in committee, to enforce the laws.

Retailers and drinks industry sources say they believe such a compromise could be worked out by the SNP and the Labour Holyrood group, which is known to be split on whether to support the plans.

The group is torn between members who want to send a tough message on the dangers of cheap drink, and those who consider a minimum price the wrong priority.

Labour's health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie is to meet health secretary Nicola Sturgeon to discuss the reforms. One industry source said that changing the minimum price law to an "enabling" power could be presented "as a victory for both parties".

The SNP will press ahead with a 40p per unit minimum price in its alcohol bill, expected to be published in the next few weeks.

Under such a scheme, high-volume cheap drink, such as cut-price vodka and supermarket cider, would rise dramatically in price, by between 1 and 3.50. However, more expensive drinks would be largely untouched.