AQW 25352/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 31/03/2025
Answered On Date: 15/04/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on his plans to introduce minimum unit alcohol pricing.

Answer:

I have set out that I believe that Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) for Alcohol could be a key mechanism to reduce alcohol-related harm in Northern Ireland and to address the health inequalities that exist in this area. Alcohol related harm has been estimated to cost Northern Ireland up to £900m every year.

However, this is an issue that requires an Executive-wide approach, and I have therefore requested the definitive positions of all Executive colleagues.

Modelling by the University of Sheffield suggests that the benefits from an MUP policy in Northern Ireland would be seen in a reduction of alcohol-related health harms (deaths and hospital admissions), alcohol-related crimes and lower rates of absenteeism/presenteeism in workplaces. The level of impact would depend on the level that MUP is set at but the modelling set out the estimated impacts at a range of different levels: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/consultations/health/doh-mup-revised-modelling.PDF

Comprehensive studies on the implementation of MUP in Scotland and Wales show that MUP has had an impact on the sale of cheap, high-strength alcohol products, and, in their particularly comprehensive analysis, Scotland has reported a reduction in alcohol-attributable deaths in comparison to what would have occurred in the absence of MUP. Importantly, there is no evidence of significant negative social impacts as a result of MUP.

However, it is important to acknowledge that MUP is not the only answer to addressing alcohol related harms. While it is expected to bring significant benefits to our public services, the need for appropriate and sustained investment across our public services will continue to be of paramount importance. My Department remains focused on improving the access to quality substance misuse services across Northern Ireland the Substance Use Strategic Commissioning & Implementation Plan 2024-28, co-developed following considerable stakeholder engagement, will inform future funding decisions around substance use related services, subject to required additional funding being made available.