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Alcohol price plan to be blocked Alcohol price plan to be blocked
(10 minutes later)
Controversial legislation to bring in minimum-pricing for alcohol in Scotland will be blocked by MSPs.Controversial legislation to bring in minimum-pricing for alcohol in Scotland will be blocked by MSPs.
Although the SNP government believes the move is needed to tackle Scotland's problems with drink-fuelled violence, it does not have enough backing.Although the SNP government believes the move is needed to tackle Scotland's problems with drink-fuelled violence, it does not have enough backing.
The Holyrood administration was hoping for the support of Labour, but it has confirmed it will line up with other parties against the plan.The Holyrood administration was hoping for the support of Labour, but it has confirmed it will line up with other parties against the plan.
However, other key parts of the alcohol bill are likely to win approval.However, other key parts of the alcohol bill are likely to win approval.
The government calculates the problem Scotland has with alcohol costs the country £2.25bn per year.The government calculates the problem Scotland has with alcohol costs the country £2.25bn per year.
ALCOHOL BILL - KEY FEATURES Minimum-pricing policyBan on drink promotionsRise in age for buying drinkRetailers' social responsibility fee Douglas Fraser blogs on boozeALCOHOL BILL - KEY FEATURES Minimum-pricing policyBan on drink promotionsRise in age for buying drinkRetailers' social responsibility fee Douglas Fraser blogs on booze
Ministers have said that a minimum-pricing policy would reduce alcohol consumption and save lives.Ministers have said that a minimum-pricing policy would reduce alcohol consumption and save lives.
Paul Waterson of the Scottish Licensed Trades Association supports minimum pricing.Paul Waterson of the Scottish Licensed Trades Association supports minimum pricing.
He told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland radio programme: "This is about bringing balance back in here and we know that Scotland has a major problem with alcohol abuse and it's being fuelled by irresponsibly low prices.He told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland radio programme: "This is about bringing balance back in here and we know that Scotland has a major problem with alcohol abuse and it's being fuelled by irresponsibly low prices.
"It doesn't matter particularly where that irresponsible price is to us, whether it's in pubs, supermarkets or anywhere else."It doesn't matter particularly where that irresponsible price is to us, whether it's in pubs, supermarkets or anywhere else.
"We want it stopped and we always have.""We want it stopped and we always have."
But Labour is not convinced it is the right approach and the party's Holyrood leader, Iain Gray, said he feared setting a minimum cost per unit of alcohol would make supermarkets richer, fail to target some problem drinks and potentially break EU law.But Labour is not convinced it is the right approach and the party's Holyrood leader, Iain Gray, said he feared setting a minimum cost per unit of alcohol would make supermarkets richer, fail to target some problem drinks and potentially break EU law.
He is planning to set up a commission to look at alternative pricing mechanisms such as a local sales tax.He is planning to set up a commission to look at alternative pricing mechanisms such as a local sales tax.
However, Jack Law, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland said: "Alcohol Focus Scotland is profoundly disappointed at the position Labour has taken in advance of evidence to the Health Committee.However, Jack Law, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland said: "Alcohol Focus Scotland is profoundly disappointed at the position Labour has taken in advance of evidence to the Health Committee.
"This flies in the face of all the advice and evidence from public health and other experts who have to deal with alcohol related harm.""This flies in the face of all the advice and evidence from public health and other experts who have to deal with alcohol related harm."
Other measures in the Holyrood bill - including a ban on drink promotions; an increase in the legal age for buying drink from 18 to 21 and a new social responsibility fee for retailers - are more likely to win support. Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "It is simply inexcusable that opponents have chosen not even to listen to the evidence around minimum pricing during the bill process.
Nationalist MSP Dr Ian McKee had urged political opponents to support the plans, adding: "All of the UK's chief medical officers, Scotland's police chiefs, the BMA, the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, Royal College of Physicians, the Episcopal Church and members of the alcohol trade support minimum-pricing. "They have dismissed out of hand the advice of all four UK Chief Medical Officers, the British Medical Association, the Royal Colleges of Nursing, Physicians, Surgeons and GPs, Faculty of Public Health, British Liver Trust, Scottish Licensed Trade Association, the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland and many others at the sharp end of dealing with alcohol misuse.
"While we have never said minimum pricing is a 'silver bullet', all the expert opinion agrees that is can have a major impact as part of our wider package of measures.
'Probably illegal''Probably illegal'
"When so many public health, crime, justice and alcohol industry representatives know the benefits minimum pricing will bring it would be a disgraceful decision for any party to reject this bill before they have heard the evidence." She added: "By contrast, our opponents have failed to put forward any constructive alternatives.
Other measures in the Holyrood bill - including a ban on drink promotions; an increase in the legal age for buying drink from 18 to 21 and a new social responsibility fee for retailers - are more likely to win support.
But Scottish Tory deputy leader Murdo Fraser said blanket minimum-pricing had been "thoroughly discredited" and called for targeted increases on so-called problem drinks like alcopops and strong cider.But Scottish Tory deputy leader Murdo Fraser said blanket minimum-pricing had been "thoroughly discredited" and called for targeted increases on so-called problem drinks like alcopops and strong cider.
"The SNP's policy is probably illegal, penalises responsible drinkers and will cause immense damage to the Scotch whisky industry," he said."The SNP's policy is probably illegal, penalises responsible drinkers and will cause immense damage to the Scotch whisky industry," he said.
Liberal Democrat justice spokesman Robert Brown hit out at the government for failing to specify what minimum price would be.Liberal Democrat justice spokesman Robert Brown hit out at the government for failing to specify what minimum price would be.
He said the proposal was "almost certainly illegal" under European competition law and would only have a marginal effect on problem drinkers, adding: "We need to stop tolerating drunkenness, alcohol-fuelled violence and routine excess of alcohol, especially in public places."He said the proposal was "almost certainly illegal" under European competition law and would only have a marginal effect on problem drinkers, adding: "We need to stop tolerating drunkenness, alcohol-fuelled violence and routine excess of alcohol, especially in public places."
The issue has led to calls for minimum-pricing in Wales.The issue has led to calls for minimum-pricing in Wales.
Brian Gibbons, Wales' social affairs minister, said he wanted to see alcohol strength taken into account in pricing.Brian Gibbons, Wales' social affairs minister, said he wanted to see alcohol strength taken into account in pricing.
Do you think minimum alcohol pricing is a good idea? What about other measures - such as a ban on drinking promotions? You can send us your views using the form below:Do you think minimum alcohol pricing is a good idea? What about other measures - such as a ban on drinking promotions? You can send us your views using the form below:
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