The Welsh government has confirmed there will be a 30% uplift on the minimum unit price (MUP) of alcohol.  

This means that the MUP of alcohol will rise from 50p to 65p from October 2026, pushing the price up on a variety of products.  

The Federation of Independent Retailers (Fed) has expressed concern about the news, especially in relation to shops on the English border. 

Clive Birkby, Fed president in Wales said: “The Fed has raised no objection to this change which mirrors that in Scotland. In the past, supermarkets have sold alcohol as super cheap loss leading products – something which is damaging to small shops and also to those advocating responsible consumption. 

“We have highlighted concerns, though, for how this policy will impact our members who are close to the border with England, given that England does not have MUP.” 

Meanwhile, in support of the change, the minister for mental health and wellbeing, Sarah Murphy, commented: “Cheap, high-strength alcohol disproportionately affects hazardous and harmful drinkers. The evidence is clear – minimum unit pricing works. We have taken a decision which will save lives and help protect many people from the harms caused by drinking too much alcohol.” 

Alcohol Change UK’s director for Wales, Andrew Misell, also welcomed the news. He said: “Inflation has steadily eroded the impact of the minimum unit price since it was introduced in 2020. This increase restores the policy’s effectiveness and ensures it can continue to reduce the availability of the cheapest, strongest alcohol that causes the most harm.” 

The Welsh government, drawing on independent research, further commented that raising the MUP to 65p could prevent more than 900 alcohol-related deaths over 20 years and reduce the number of harmful drinkers by nearly 5,000.