Alcohol minimum pricing 'no longer deliverable' before next election

Legislation to introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Northern Ireland is "no longer deliverable" before the next assembly election, Stormont's health minister has said.

The pricing structure is already in place in Scotland and Wales, where alcohol cannot be sold for less than 65p per unit.

Mike Nesbitt described it as a "missed opportunity", saying that agreement from all four parties in the power-sharing government could not be secured.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) was accused by other parties of "blocking" the proposals as the issue was discussed in the assembly on Tuesday.

DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds said preventing alcohol harm needed "not just one measure", but Nesbitt described her remarks as "pure deflection".

Nesbitt is the fifth health minister to have attempted to introduce minimum pricing.

If Northern Ireland introduced similar restrictions to Scotland and Wales, it would see a 2.5 litre bottle of cider more than double in price from £5.99 to at least £12.20. Some of the cheapest vodka and whiskey would increase by about £6 per litre. It would not impact places like bars and restaurants as they already charge more than this.

It was first proposed by the DUP's Edwin Poots in 2012 when he was health minister.

With an assembly election scheduled for May next year, there is a limited timeframe for ministers to ensure legislation is passed.

Nesbitt told the Northern Ireland Assembly that primary legislation had been provisionally scheduled for introduction in 2026-27.

"Unfortunately, however, despite my efforts to provide information and address any concerns, it has not been possible to secure executive agreement," he said.

"And we've now reached the point sadly where legislation for MUP (minimum unit pricing) is no longer deliverable in this mandate."

The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) minister said this would "have an impact on many vulnerable and at-risk people here in Northern Ireland".

He referenced British Heart Foundation research, which he said "estimated 676 people each year die as a direct result of their alcohol consumption".

Nesbitt said minimum unit pricing was "not a silver bullet" but it would help reduce alcohol-related harm.

He told assembly members it would "result in healthcare savings of £117.4m over 20 years".

"From my perspective I feel that not introducing minimum unit pricing is a missed opportunity - an opportunity which would have allowed this assembly to make a meaningful difference in reducing the alcohol-related harms and inequalities across our region."

Nesbitt signalled opposition from the DUP to the proposed legislation, as he said it was "on the public record" that other executive parties were supportive.

Several assembly members from other parties accused the DUP of "blocking" the plans.

DUP assembly member Diane Dodds, who sits on the assembly's health committee, said that "preventing alcohol harm is part of a whole suite of measures and not just one measure".

She said there was "still a lack of targeted detox and rehab services for young people and their children".

Nesbitt responded: "That is pure deflection."

Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) assembly member Matthew O'Toole, leader of the opposition in the assembly, accused the DUP of a "brazen and shameless blocking of this".

"Truly the party of Paisley has become the party of Farage today," he added.

People Before Profit assembly member Gerry Carroll said he was "well aware of the dangers" of alcoholism but he remained "unconvinced that this is the best way to deal with it".