The UK’s Supreme Court judges have ruled in favour of the Scottish Parliament over a minimum pricing for alcohol – allowing the government at Holyrood to push ahead with plans to crack down on cheap booze.
Supreme Court judges said legislation already passed by the parliament in Edinburgh in 2012 did not break any of the EU’s commercial laws.
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said it accepted the decision, despite its five-year legal battle to prevent the changes.
Scottish ministers, along with several leading campaign groups and health bodies, believe bringing in a set minimum price per unit – expected to be 50p – would stop the damaging effects of high-strength alcohol being sold at such low costs.
According to Alcohol Concern, some cider brands were being sold at 18p per unit.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was “absolutely delighted that minimum pricing has been upheld by the Supreme Court.”