The Health and Social Care Committee is holding a short written inquiry with a view to providing a response to the Welsh Government’s report and consultation on the operation and effect of Minimum Unit Price (MUP) for Alcohol.

The Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Act 2018 was implemented on 2 March 2020. The Act introduced a Minimum Unit Price (MUP) for Alcohol, setting a price of 50p per unit of alcohol. This means alcohol cannot be sold in Wales at less than 50p per unit.  Alongside other policies addressing alcohol related harm, MUP aims to reduce alcohol-related harm by increasing the cost of cheap, high-strength alcohol, which is often linked to harmful alcohol consumption and related health issues.

The Act includes a sunset clause, which means that minimum pricing for alcohol will end in Wales in March 2026 unless the Welsh Government takes action to extend it. The Act also requires the Welsh Government to report on the operation and effect of the legislation.

In January 2025, the Welsh Government published the final reports of the independent evaluation it had commissioned on the operation and effect of MUP. It is also undertaking a consultation to gather views on awareness of minimum unit pricing in Wales and its impact.

To inform this piece of work, we would welcome your views on the matters listed here in relation to minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Wales. Alternatively, if you have already responded to the Welsh Government’s consultation, you may prefer to share that response with us.

The closing date for submissions is 30 April 2025.