Researchers at Wrexham University and the University of South Wales (USW) have contributed to a Welsh Government-led four-year review of the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol (MPA) in Wales.
The aim of the review was to provide an analysis and overall evaluation of the implementation, impact and initial considerations of minimum pricing for alcohol in Wales, which was first introduced in March 2020. The cost of 50p per unit was agreed by the National Assembly for Wales.
This law applies to all businesses, organisations and individuals required to hold a license for alcohol. Any retailer who sells or supplies, or authorises the sale or supply of, alcohol below the minimum price will be breaking the law and could be fined.
The evaluation also sets out to assess the contribution implementing minimum pricing for alcohol in Wales has made to any changes in alcohol related behavioural, consumption and retail outcomes.
Wrexham University academics, Wulf Livingston, Professor of Alcohol Studies; and Iolo Madoc-Jones, Professor of Social and Criminal Justice; are part of the team, who have worked on the review, alongside Katy Holloway, Professor of Criminology; Dr Marian Buhociu, Lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice; and Shannon Murray, Senior Research Assistant; all of whom are from the University of South Wales, and Figure 8 Consultancy Services, based in Dundee.
Professor Livingston said:
“On behalf of Wrexham University’s Research team, I would like to thank everyone who has helped with the project. Without their support, we would have not been able to gather so many important contributions – particularly those who gave up their time to be interviewed and shared their insights with us.
“The review has uncovered a number of key themes and messages including the fact that the overall implementation of the policy has been successful – and generally, people are in agreement with the policy.
“However there is concern for certain groups of individuals, which predominantly include dependent drinkers looking to maintain affordability by for example, going without food or not paying bills. That’s definitely a cause for concern and support needs to be in place for them.”
The report concludes with a number of recommendations for Welsh Government and service and treatment providers, including:
- The Welsh Government should renew rather than lose the option of MPA as an alcohol policy measure in Wales.
- The Welsh Government should actively consider a review of the current 50p per unit price level.
- A price increase to at least 65p per unit is required to maintain the current policy value and any of the positive impacts observed so far.
- The Welsh Government should take note of the adverse effect of the policy on certain populations of low income and heavy drinkers and should, in turn, ensure that its alcohol treatment, policy, and provision readily meet the needs of this group.
- Any continuation of the policy should be accompanied by ongoing and further evaluation. This should include regard for the impact of MPA on children, young people, and families.
- The Welsh Government should take active regard that inequality and subsequent deprivation is a critical factor in health outcomes.
- Service and treatment should better communicate more clearly with staff and those using their services about the policy of MPA.
- Service and treatment providers should be clear in offering explicit harm reduction advice regarding the potential harms of switching from one alcohol product to another and/or to other substances.
Professor Livingston said:
“This overall evaluation of the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol in Wales is an important step in a long-term journey about understanding alcohol policy measures and their impact.
“In bringing together what is known about what has a happened in Wales since March 2020, and comparing this with wider international experiences, particularly those of Scotland, it has highlighted the role that price and changes in price can play in patterns of alcohol consumption.
“The report shows that Wales’ experience has mirrored many of the expectations and accounts elsewhere, that show minimum price approaches can effectively impact on the sale and consumption of cheap alcohol products.
“Further, it shows this to be a complex and difficult story to unpick, with different experiences for different groups of drinkers, adapted coping mechanisms, unintended consequences and the influences of a post-Covid world and the ongoing challenges due to the cost of living.”
Professor Katy Holloway added:
“Our study has shown that MPA is an effective mechanism for removing very cheap alcohol products – strong white cider has increased significantly in price following the introduction of MPA and is now largely absent from shop shelves.
“However, the broader impacts of MPA are mixed and certain populations appear to be more vulnerable to its negative effects than others. While we have recommended that Welsh Government lays regulations for the continuation of MPA in Wales, we have also recommended that they implement a series of complementary actions to maximise the effectiveness of MPA and minimise any unintended consequences.”
The final reports, which have been published this week by the Welsh Government, can be found here.
