The Government of Scotland is planning to set the minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol at £0.50.

Scotland Health and Sport Cabinet Secretary Shona Robison has confirmed that the government will recommend this MUP be made effective from 1 May this year.

This proposal is designed to reduce alcohol misuse and follows previously passed legislation that allows lawmakers to introduce MUP systems for alcohol, which was confirmed by the UK Supreme Court as lawful last November.

Based on an analysis report on the public consultation conducted last December, the recommended price will be laid before the Parliament.

Robinson said: “I am grateful to everyone who took the time to respond to the consultation on our proposed minimum price-per-unit of alcohol and I am happy to confirm that we will be moving forward with our recommendation of £0.50.

“We have to tackle the scourge of cheap, high-strength drink that causes so much damage to so many families.”

“With alcohol on sale today in some places at just £0.16 per unit, we have to tackle the scourge of cheap, high-strength drink that causes so much damage to so many families. This move will save thousands of lives.”

The public consultation was taken from 130 participants, including 66 organisations and 64 individuals.

The consultation results reported 70 (53.8%) comments on the Scottish Government’s proposed MUP for alcohol, which included 48 responses from organisations and 22 individuals.

The analysis found 74.3% of respondents to be supportive, while 17.1% expressed a higher MUP, 5.7% stated a lower MUP and 2.9% of respondents were not explicit about their support.

The report reviewed that 91.4% of respondents who commented on the proposed price are either in favour of the MUP or for a higher price.

In addition, 42.9% of the 70 respondents who commented made suggestions on potential future alterations of the MUP.