Flagship SNP policy gets ‘sunset’ limit

A LAW setting a minimum price for alcohol will be ditched after six years if it does not work, MSPs have agreed.

The “sunset clause” was floated by Conservatives to secure their support for the SNP plan, which passed its second of three Holyrood hurdles yesterday.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon told the health and sport committee: “The sunset clause is a response to concerns from some members that minimum pricing hasn’t been tried elsewhere. I think that is a perfectly reasonable and legitimate position to take.”

The clause was suggested by Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw, who sits on the committee.

He said: “If it is found not to be working, that means we can drop it without being stuck with measures that are unpopular and unworkable.”

The Scottish Government’s Alcohol Minimum Pricing Bill was previously defeated in 2010 when the SNP was a minority administration. Labour is the only party not to have supported the revised legislation when it was debated again in March.

It was estimated retailers could make an extra £103 million a year through minimum pricing based on a unit price of 45p, according to research by Sheffield University.