Question reference: S6W-09488
- Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 30 June 2022
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Current status: Answered by Maree Todd on 18 July 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to extending the sunset clause on minimum unit pricing until June 2023, when Public Health Scotland plans to publish its final, overarching report on the policy.
Answer
Public Health Scotland will publish their final report on Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) in summer 2023.
The sunset clause within the Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act 2012 means that this policy is only in effect until 30th April 2024 unless an affirmative Scottish Statutory Instrument is approved by Parliament to continue MUP beyond that date. As the sunset clause is set out in legislation it is not possible to extend the period of time before it comes into force.