UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The British Government faces pressure from health experts to set a minimum alcohol price, citing growing concern over alcohol-related harm across the country.
As reported by The Independent, ministers in England are under pressure to follow Wales in tackling alcohol harm by introducing a minimum unit price.
What did health experts urge the UK Government to do in their letter?
Medical experts are pressing the government to protect the public from cheap and harmful alcohol. They are urging a policy that would stop drinks from being sold below a fixed price per unit.
In a letter to the Health Secretary, experts said the public “want and deserve” stronger action to tackle alcohol-related harm.
Health professionals, researchers, and charities have called on ministers to take bold action to confront the scale of the alcohol crisis.
A joint letter, signed by 34 leading health figures, urged ministers to act on alcohol harm.
Signatories include:
- Alcohol Health Alliance
- Royal College of Physicians
- Royal College of General Practitioners
- Royal College of Emergency Medicine
The letter outlines several proposals to curb alcohol harm, including introducing a minimum unit price for alcohol in England, similar to policies in Scotland and Wales.
It urges local governments to have the authority to manage alcohol retail hours and online alcohol shipments.
The letter called for tighter alcohol marketing laws to match those used for high-fat, high-sugar, and salty foods. It includes adjusting alcohol duties based on inflation and removing tax breaks that benefit strong ciders.
Experts called for increasing investment in local hospital-based alcohol support teams.
The health leaders said,
“The public wants and deserves action, and we stand ready to work with the Government to deliver real progress.”
They added,
“By taking meaningful and co-ordinated action now, the burden of alcohol harm can fall significantly within the term of this Government, with visible results for families, the NHS, crime, and the economy.”
Department of Health’s views on tackling alcohol harm
The Department of Health and Social Care said it remains committed to exploring effective strategies to tackle alcohol misuse.
A spokesperson stated,
“As we shift from sickness to prevention through our 10-Year Health Plan, we will make it mandatory for alcoholic drinks to display health warnings and nutritional information.”
They added,
“To improve drug and alcohol treatment services and recovery support in England, the Government has also provided an additional £310 million in 2025/26, on top of the public health grant.”
What did the Portman Group say about the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan?
A spokesperson for the Portman Group stated,
“As the alcohol industry regulatory body for marketing, we welcome the chance to work constructively with the Government on the proposals within its 10-year plan to help more consumers make an informed choice and drink moderately.”
Wales’ planning for Minimum Unit Pricing after 2026
Scotland and Wales already have minimum pricing for alcohol. On Wednesday, Wales began talks to keep it after March 2026 and raise the price from 50p to 65p.
Welsh officials say the proposed changes could reduce harmful drinking among around 5,000 people.
Public health experts have urged English ministers to adopt minimum unit pricing. They warned that existing measures fail to tackle the full scale of alcohol misuse.
Key statistics about alcohol drinkers in the UK
Over 10,000 people died from alcohol in the UK last year, a big jump since 2006. Over a million ended up in hospital, mostly in poorer areas.
Young people drink less now, but older adults drink the most. Alcohol costs the country £27 billion a year and leads to cancer and early deaths.