Wales minimum alcohol price rises to 65p in bid to counter inflation

The minimum price at which alcohol can be sold in Wales has risen by 30 per cent, pushing up the cost of cheaper beers, ciders, and spirits in off-licences and supermarkets.

From today, the minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol has increased from 50p to 65p. The Welsh government introduced the change to ensure the policy continues to save lives and reduce alcohol-related hospital admissions, warning that high inflation had eroded the effectiveness of the original pricing threshold.

First introduced in Wales in March 2020, the minimum pricing system does not operate as a flat tax. Instead, it targets cheap, high-strength alcohol by setting a floor price based on the strength and volume of the drink.

How the new pricing affects drinks

Under the new 65p limit, the lowest legal price for many popular alcoholic drinks will rise significantly.

• A standard bottle of wine (12.5% ABV) cannot be sold for less than £6.09, up from £4.69.
• A 70cl bottle of vodka (40% ABV) has a new minimum price of £18.20, compared to the previous £14.00.
• A four-pack of 500ml cans of lager (4% ABV) must cost at least £5.20, up from £4.00.
• A two-litre bottle of strong cider (7.5% ABV) will see one of the steepest rises, jumping from £7.50 to £9.75.

Why the Welsh government is raising the price

Public health officials and ministers argue that the adjustment is necessary to keep pace with the rising cost of living. When Wales first set the 50p limit in 2020, it was intended to deter heavy drinkers from buying cheap, high-volume alcohol.

However, because the limit was not automatically linked to inflation, years of rising prices across the wider economy have made the 50p floor less effective. By raising the floor to 65p, policymakers hope to restore the real-terms price pressure on cheap alcohol, which they say directly correlates with lower rates of chronic liver disease and alcohol-related violence.

The move follows a similar decision in Scotland, which raised its own minimum unit price to 65p in September after initially pioneering the policy at 50p in 2018.

Reaction to the policy

While health charities and medical professionals have welcomed the increase as a necessary step to save lives, the policy has drawn criticism from some consumer groups and retailers.

Opponents argue that raising prices during a wider cost-of-living crisis unfairly penalises low-income, moderate drinkers without necessarily curbing the habits of those with severe addictions. Some retailers have also raised concerns about a potential increase in shoplifting or shoppers crossing the border to England, where minimum unit pricing does not apply.