Alcohol bill could push Scots into England

The Scottish Government’s Alcohol Bill, due this month, could push huge numbers of shoppers into England to buy booze, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.

New research shows that "booze cruising" is increasing in Ireland due to the price difference north and south of the border, with 16% of Irish householders now choosing to shop in Northern Ireland to save money.

Figures from Nielsen Ireland shows off-sales in Northern Ireland have risen by 30% in the year to August, while off-sales in the south have declined by 7% over the same period.

The WSTA believes the same could happen in England if SNP ministers succeed in pushing through their plans for minimum pricing on alcohol at between 40 and 45p per unit.

Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the WSTA, said: "What these figures expose is that in the midst of a recession, people will go those extra miles to save money. The Scottish Government is preparing to hand England a massive competitive advantage. Retail in England will profit and in Scotland sales will fall, having a damaging impact on the economy, particularly in the Borders.

"Again, we are seeing more evidence mounting up that the Scottish Government's plans will be both ineffective and damaging to the Scottish economy."

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