Minimum Unit Pricing for alcohol to be introduced in Wales

The Salvation Army has welcomed the Welsh Assembly's announcement that minimum unit pricing for alcohol will be introduced in Wales.  

Gareth Wallace, the Army's spokesperson on addition, said:  “The Salvation Army warmly welcomes the Welsh Government's decision to introduce a minimum price of 50p per unit for alcohol. Alcohol overuse damages lives and society and we believe that this measure will tackle harmful and hazardous consumption of high strength, low price alcohol.

"Every day we see the consequences of excess alcohol consumption on the physical and mental health, careers, relationships and family lives of those we help. Many with alcohol problems have often exhausted the kindness of family and friends, and have lost contact with their own children.

“Even with a 50p Minimum Unit Price the cost of a bottle of wine would not rise above £5, and the cost of a four pack of beer would not exceed £4. These are not excessive prices.

"Minimum alcohol pricing is one measure to tackle harmful and hazardous drinking and we offer the Welsh Government our support and expertise in seeking to address this problem. The Salvation Army will do all we can to provide, through our community and residential centres, support and help to those whose drinking detrimentally affects their daily lives and help to minimise the damage that over indulgence of alcohol produces in our society.

"The Salvation Army continues to support the stated policy of the Westminster government to introduce a minimum unit price for England".

The Salvation Army was involved from the start in supporting the Scottish Government's policy of a minimum unit price for alcohol. We also submitted a response to the Northern Ireland government's proposal to bring forward minmum unit pricing.