Minimum Unit Pricing in Scotland – Evidence, Data and Policy Impact
Category: Impact
18 August 2026
The Challenge
Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) for alcohol was introduced in Scotland in May 2018 as a population-level intervention to reduce alcohol-related harm. The policy set a minimum price of £0.50 per unit of alcohol, aimed at reducing consumption of alcohol that is considered cheap, relative-to-strength products associated with harmful consumption.
The Scottish Government commissioned Public Health Scotland (PHS) to lead a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of MUP. The evaluation was conducted independently by PHS in collaboration with academic partners.
Research
The evaluation synthesis report, published in 2023, looked at over 40 studies, one of which examined the impact of MUP on alcohol-attributable deaths and hospital admissions. This study analysed data from 2012–2020, using a controlled interrupted time series design comparing Scotland (intervention) with England (control).
The research was supported by secure data infrastructures to enable use of linked administrative data including mortality records and hospital admissions data. Of significant importance was the Scottish data held in the Scottish National Safe Haven being accessible. This was made possible by ADR Scotland. Access to English data via the ONS Secure Research Service, supported through ADR UK funding, enabled robust cross-country comparison.
Findings
The research concluded that the MUP policy was contributing to reduced alcohol harm and health inequalities. The following statistics are extrapolated from the first 32 months of Minimum Unit Pricing (1 May 2018 to 31 December 2020):
- Estimated 13.4% reduction in alcohol-attributable deaths compared to if MUP was not in place
- Estimated 156 deaths averted annually
- Estimated 4.1% reduction in hospital admissions (non-significant)
- Estimated 411 admissions averted annually
- Greatest impacts in the most deprived communities especially among men
Policy Impact
The evaluation informed Scottish Government reporting under the Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act 2012, supporting Parliamentary scrutiny and debate. It was a key part of the evidence base underpinning the Scottish Parliament's decision to continue Minimum Unit Pricing beyond April 2024.
The evaluation's findings also contributed to 2024 impact assessments and the broader evidence base considered alongside new Sheffield modelling of alternative MUP levels, which helped to inform the decision to increase the minimum price from 50p to 65p per unit.
The research also received extensive media coverage and was highlighted in public health communications.
I am very pleased with these findings which point to more than 150 lives a year being saved and 411 fewer hospital admissions, further underlining the value of our world-leading minimum unit pricing policy which has helped reduce alcohol sales to their lowest on record. We’re determined to do all we can to reduce alcohol-related harm, which is one of the most pressing public health challenges that we face in Scotland.
Maree Todd, Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport: 20 May 2021 – 29 March 2023
Why this matters
The evaluation demonstrates how ADR-enabled data linkage can support evidence-based policymaking and deliver measurable improvements in public health outcomes. The research also highlights the benefits of access to data across nations to support comparative analysis.
