Rising numbers of Scots are crossing the border into England on festive “booze cruises” to buy cheaper whisky after the SNP increased minimum alcohol prices.
The House of Malt in Carlisle, Cumbria, has reported a marked increase in Scottish customers since minimum unit prices north of the border rose from 50p to 65p at the end of September.
The drinks retailer, located just 10 miles from the Scottish border, says numbers have risen again in recent weeks as households stock up for Christmas.
Ironically, many Scottish customers are purchasing Scotch whisky, which is now cheaper in England than in its homeland.
The Carlisle retailer has said their business with Scots has increased
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The minimum price increase means a bottle of Scotch whisky now costs at least £18.20 in Scotland, up from £14 previously – a 30 per cent rise.
Other drinks have also been affected, with the minimum price of a 500ml can of 4 per cent strength lager rising from £1 to £1.30.
“They keep bringing it up. It does seem to be an issue. We always have a bit of a laugh and a joke about it when they come in,” said Piers Foster, operations manager at The House of Malt. Foster noted that Scotch whisky was particularly popular among his Scottish customers, who typically purchase several bottles at a time.
The shop’s website lists two blended whiskies that are below Scotland’s minimum price.
Oliver Mundell MSP
PA
Oliver Mundell, the Conservative MSP for Dumfriesshire, criticised the SNP’s minimum pricing policy, saying it had failed in its objectives.
“Bars and shops just over the border will be toasting the SNP for still being so wedded to their failed minimum unit pricing policy,” he said.
“Not only has this flagship SNP scheme failed to stop alcohol deaths soaring, it is also now meaning tills in England are benefiting instead of ones up here.”
Official figures from September showed alcohol-related deaths in Scotland had reached their highest level in 15 years. Some 1,277 people died as a result of drink last year, up from 2022 and the worst since 2008, despite the policy’s introduction in 2018.
Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray MSP
PA
SNP Health Secretary Neil Gray defended the policy, citing research that showed positive outcomes.
He said: “Research commended by internationally-renowned public health experts estimated that our world-leading policy has saved hundreds of lives, likely averted hundreds of alcohol-attributable hospital admissions and contributed to tackling health inequalities.”
A Public Health Scotland evaluation found evidence of cross-border purchasing was minimal.
“We don’t anticipate significant changes to cross-border sales following the increase of the minimum unit price but will keep this under review,” Gray added.