Alcohol Minimum Pricing Bill for England

This bill would set a minimum price that shops and other retailers must charge for alcoholic drinks in England. The government says this will reduce harmful drinking by making cheap alcohol more expensive. Under the system, drinks would cost at least 50 pence per unit of alcohol they contain. A unit is a standard measure - for example, a pint of beer typically contains 2-3 units. This means a pint would cost at least £1-£1.50. Scotland already has this system. Critics say it unfairly affects people on low incomes who drink responsibly, as they will pay more for all alcohol. The bill would give the government power to change the minimum price rate and enforce the rules through fines and licensing penalties.

• 1Sets minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol in England
• 2Affects all alcoholic drinks sold in shops, pubs and restaurants
• 3Government says it will reduce harmful drinking and health problems
• 4Critics say it penalises responsible drinkers on low incomes
• 5Similar system already operates in Scotland since 2018