Wholesalers: Minimum Unit Pricing of Alcohol and Trade Sales

Closed 26 Oct 2018

Opened 3 Aug 2018

Contact

0131 244 2107

MUPandtradesalesconsultation@gov.scot

Results updated 28 Jan 2020

Prior to the implementation of Minimum Unit Pricing on 1 May 2018, the Scottish Government held discussions with various representatives in the alcohol industry. In the discussions with wholesalers, a very specific issue was raised: whether a wholesaler with a premises licence should apply Minimum Unit Pricing to sales to trade or whether sales to trade from those licensed premises are exempt from Minimum Unit Pricing. There is no intention, and there never has been any intention, by the Scottish Government that Minimum Unit Pricing would apply to sales to trade. The policy is that only sales of alcohol which are not sales to trade should be subject to the minimum price. The Scottish Government considers a legislative change is helpful to clarify the position for certain wholesalers as regards compliance with Minimum Unit Pricing.

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Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

The Alcohol (Minimum Price per Unit) (Scotland) Order 2018 came into force on 1st May 2018 and set the minimum price at 50 pence per unit of alcohol. Minimum Unit Pricing is a mandatory condition of a premises and occasional licence. This means that, in order to comply with a premises and occasional licence, alcohol cannot be sold on those premises below the Minimum Unit Price.
 
The Scottish Government is aware that there are differing views within the licensing community on whether a wholesaler with a premises licence should apply Minimum Unit Pricing to trade sales or whether trade sales from those licensed premises are exempt from Minimum Unit Pricing.

Why your views matter

The Scottish Government considers a legislative change is required to clarify the position for certain wholesalers as regards compliance with Minimum Unit Pricing, and so is seeking views on the legislative change proposed in the consultation.

The consultation responses will be used to inform the legislative change required to clarify the position as regards Minimum Unit Pricing for certain wholesalers.

Download the consultation paper.

Interests

  • Business, Industry and Innovation
  • Communities and Third Sector
  • Public Sector
  • Health and Social Care