Programme for Government a missed opportunity to tackle alcohol harm, say expert medics.
The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2025-26 includes investment of a £2.5 million in person-centred alcohol and drug services but fails to set out any preventative action to tackle alcohol specifically.
One of the recommendations of Audit Scotland’s 2024 report on alcohol and drug services was that by mid-2025 the Scottish Government must “work with key stakeholders to identify and agree actions to increase focus and funding for tackling alcohol-related harm, while continuing to tackle drug-related harm”.
SHAAP had previously written to the Health Secretary, calling for an automatic annual uprating mechanism, enshrined in legislation, to be introduced for minimum unit pricing.
Last week, it also issued a joint call with Alcohol Focus Scotland, supported by over 70 organisations, for the Scottish Government to take urgent action on alcohol.
Dr Alastair MacGilchrist, Chair of SHAAP said:
“The introduction of an automatic uprating mechanism would have meant that minimum unit pricing remained effective and its impact wasn’t eroded by inflation. It would also have secured the Scottish Government’s legacy as having pioneered MUP in Scotland and taken legislative action to tackle alcohol-related harm.
“Despite declaring an alcohol emergency in 2021, the Scottish Government has disappointingly decided not to act. Alcohol-related deaths are at their highest since 2008 but alcohol is barely given a mention in the Programme for Government.
“The FM says the NHS is at the heart of his Programme for Government, yet he has missed the opportunity to introduce further effective policies to reduce alcohol harm and thus reduce the huge burden which that alcohol harm places on the NHS and the economy, costing Scotland an estimated £5 – £10 billion every year
“We appreciate any moves to increase funding but we have been clear that this must be separate from funding to tackle drug-related harm. It must also be followed up with policies to take action on the affordability, availability and marketing of alcohol.”