Minimum drinks prices - in England and Wales

Published: 15 March, 2009

Plans for minimum drinks prices in England and Wales could mean spirits priced at least £14 a bottle and some wines upwards of £5.40.

Plans for minimum drinks prices in England and Wales could mean spirits priced at least £14 a bottle and some wines around £5.40.

Chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson is widely reported as recommending a 50p-a-unit level for alcohol, in a move which may go beyond even what it being proposed in Scotland. As yet the SNP government has not declared what its pricing level would be.

Sir Liam's recommendation is expected to be outlined this week and is bound to provoke a storm of controversy both in and outside Parliament. As well as coming at a time when consumers are suffering in the recession, there are many politicians who believe any attempt to impose minimum pricing would be a breach of European law and open to challenge.

The effect on drinks pricing could be as follows:

- a bottle of 12% abv wine would retail for a minimum of £4.50

- a bottle of 14% abv wine would retail for a minimum of £5.36

- a bottle of 20% abv port or other fortified wine would retail for a minimum of £7.50

- a bottle of 40% abv spirits would retail for a minimum of £14.

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