http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11381608

 

The Scottish government's plans for minimum drink pricing are set to be defeated at Holyrood, despite a last-minute offer to save the measure.

 

Holyrood's health committee is expected to back a Tory amendment to strike from the Alcohol Bill plans for a minimum price per unit of alcohol of 45p.

 

The SNP has offered to insert a sunset clause in the legislation, which would review the policy after six years.

 

But the move has not gained enough opposition support.

 

Ministers say minimum pricing is needed to help tackle Scotland's drinking culture.

 

But rival politicians said the blanket policy would hit responsible drinkers, and have pulled together to oppose the minority government's plan.

 

Nationalist MSP, Dr Ian McKee, said a levy of 45p would mean 1,200 fewer hospital admissions, a £5.5m fall in health care costs, 50 fewer deaths and nearly 23,000 fewer days absent from work in the first year.

 

He added: "Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon's offer of a sunset clause gives parliament the opportunity to see the benefits minimum pricing will bring to Scotland's communities and to review it properly after a set time.

 

"There are no grounds for rejecting that opportunity."

 

But the Tories' Mary Scanlon, added: "There is simply no political support for the SNP's blanket minimum pricing.

 

"These plans would penalise responsible drinkers, harm the Scotch whisky industry, cost jobs and is probably illegal."

 

Ross Finnie, the Lib Dem health spokesman, said all parties must work together to tackle Scotland's alcohol problems.

 

But he warned: "We remain unconvinced by the government's proposals for minimum pricing.

 

"It impacts heavily on the low paid, has a marginal effect on hazardous drinkers and gives a windfall to retailers."

 

Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie, added: "According to the Scottish government's own study, a minimum price of 45p per unit will deliver more than £140m of extra revenue per year for retailers - but it won't create a single extra penny for more police or the NHS."

 

If agreed, the minimum pricing policy would see a two-litre bottle of Tesco brand cider go from £1.32 to £3.80, while Asda whisky would rise from £9.20 to £12.60.

 

Ms Sturgeon has maintained that costs would only rise for high-strength products sold at rock-bottom prices.

 

The cross-party health committee is set to amend the Alcohol Bill, which is in the second of its three parliamentary stages.

 

The Tory amendment is to be backed by Labour and Lib Dem MSPs.

 

Ministers will have a further attempt to re-insert minimum pricing in the bill at its final stage.

just wondering in the UK is there a law saying you can't buy alcohol after midnight?

because it really exists in the US

Providing the seller has a license which allows them to do so they can sell anytime they want. Which is nice :)

Providing the seller has a license which allows them to do so they can sell anytime they want. Which is nice :)

 

......................especially for alcoholics.:rolleyes:

......................especially for alcoholics.:rolleyes:

 

Yes, it is good for alcoholics.