Walker: SNP booze price plan won't work
Gary Fitzpatrick • Published 25 May 2012 08:30
3 Comments
INDEPENDENT MSP Bill Walker has concerns over his former party's plans to impose minimum alcohol pricing.
He believes the proposals could miss their target after it emerged that drinks such as Buckfast, blamed for much of the anti-social disorder across Scotland, will not be affected.
The SNP government was unable to introduce its policy in the last parliament when it was a minority administration, but after last year's landslide at the polls is ready to push ahead with plans to impose a minimum price of 50p per unit.
There will be a vote at Holyrood today (Thursday) and the move would see a steep rise in supermarket prices for some wines and spirits.
Mr Walker, who is currently appealing his expulsion from the SNP, said, "I had supported the previous level of 45p but that's now gone up to 50p. I'm considering my position over the issue.
"My concern is that it is not affecting those it was meant to. People having a drink at home are the ones who will be hit in the pocket whereas this was meant to tackle anti-social behaviour which results from young people drinking the likes of Buckfast.
"Now though we find out that Buckfast will not be affected whereas people currently buying a bottle of wine in the supermarket for just over £3 will have to pay about £5.
"It will also hit those people buying a bottle of vodka or bottle of gin, for example. Vodka could go up from £8.50 to £12.
"I agree we have to think of health effects but I don't think this proposal has been well thought through. People drinking at home - the safest place for people to have a drink - are being discouraged from doing so.
"At the same time, people who buy expensive malts for example, will not be affected."
Another with strong views on minimum pricing is former councillor Gerry McMullan, Fife's chair of regulation and licensing on the previous council.
Mr McMullan said, "Whilst I welcome any initiative of trying to reduce alcohol abuse in Scotland, the Scottish Government's frail gesture is completely inadequate to make any difference to the current situation here in Scotland.
"The local situation here in Dunfermline and West Fife is serious. It was recognised in a recent Press investigation that some pubs and clubs in Dunfermline don't want to charge low prices as this affects their profits but are forced into this situation by the brewery companies.
"The real situation the SNP Government are loath to tackle are the manufacturers who are allowed to produce and bottle cheap concoctions for youngsters' consumption and the cost of a solid health education programme which is robust enough to make the change Scotland needs.
"There is a solution but it will take more than an offer of 50p minimum pricing to solve an issue which is destroying the very fabric of Scotland."
MP Thomas Docherty said, "Personally I'm sceptical over whether minimum pricing will work and this plan would put £150 million into the pockets of the big five supermarket chains.
"The problems we've had locally is from shops selling alcohol to youngsters or them getting their hands on through proxy buying which has resulted in anti-social behaviour in Duloch Park at weekends as the Press has reported before."
This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 25 May 12
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May 26, 18:57
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May 26, 19:00
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kaka30
310 posts
May 27, 19:27
Report commentNow getting back to the SNP booze price plan -
IM AGAINST IT
Recommend?
Yes 3
No 0
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May 27, 21:38
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Mikeintheknow
37 posts
May 27, 23:14
Report commentIf the SNP cant even get Buckfast, to be covered by this draft policy maybe there should rethink the whole idea.
Maybe there should bring in Special government run Booze shops, UK one of the only places in the world you can buy volka and your shopping in the same shop, It would mean alot of conner shops going but hey it for our health,
Recommend? Yes 3
No 1
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kaka30
310 posts
May 28, 09:08
Report commentIf its not Buckfast, Alcopops etc its something else, if people want to over indulge in drink or drugs, they will regardless of cost.
All this does is cost the Scottish Public more money to go along with extortunate fuel bills & rising food prices.
Recommend? Yes 3
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