Members of the Senedd passed regulations, on 3 February 2026, to continue the minimum pricing for alcohol policy and to increase the minimum unit price from 50p to 65p, bringing it into line with the rate in Scotland.
Minimum pricing for alcohol is designed to tackle alcohol-related harm, including hospital admissions and deaths, by reducing alcohol consumption among hazardous and harmful drinkers: Senedd passes new regulations to tackle alcohol misuse in Wales | GOV.WALES.
Minimum unit pricing was originally introduced in Wales in March 2020 when the Public Health (Minimum Unit Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Act 2018 came into force. The Act contained a sunset clause, which meant minimum unit pricing would have ended on 1 March 2026, if the Senedd had not voted to extend the policy.
The price change regulations will come into effect from 1 October 2026.
For further information please select the following link: Minimum unit pricing for alcohol: summary guidance | GOV.WALES and Minimum unit pricing for alcohol: resources for retailers | GOV.WALES.