Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson Alan Chamber MLA has warned that progress on minimum unit pricing for alcohol is at risk due to ongoing delays within the Executive. Recent briefings to the Health Committee highlighted both the significant public health impacts of alcohol misuse and the success of similar legislation elsewhere in the UK and Ireland. With statutory deadlines approaching, concerns are growing that the opportunity to advance the policy during this mandate may be lost.

Alan Chambers MLA said:

“Two weeks ago the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Michael McBride, briefed the Assembly Health Committee on the proposal from the Minister for Health, Mike Nesbitt MLA, to create minimum unit pricing legislation for alcohol products. The data presented in the briefing was overwhelming in the information given around the negative impacts on not only family life but also on the Health Service. Sir Michael also spoke of the measurable success of minimum pricing laws in Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland to date

“Despite the nature of the proposed legislation and the compelling case being put by the Chief Medical Officer, my understanding is that the Health Minister can’t even get the Executive to agree to put the legislation in front of the Assembly for debate. It is widely known that the DUP Ministers in the Executive are the ones creating barriers to the legislation progressing into, at least, an Assembly debate.

“There was therefore a bit of irony in a question put to Minister Nesbitt during the recent Health Question Time in the Assembly. DUP MLA Gareth Wilson asked the Minister for Health for his assessment of the impact that excessive alcohol consumption has on the health service.

“In his response the Minister rehearsed the devastating figures of the damage caused by alcohol misuse and encouraged all members to help in securing the necessary Executive approval to allow this proposed new policy to proceed.

“However, Mr Wilson went on, “so given what you have said, given the wider health and well-being implications of excessive alcohol use, have you any plans to increase messaging around moderation of alcohol given the significant negative impacts on the health service and indeed right across the Executive body and most importantly on people's health and well-being."

“The Minister responded to these comments, "Well I very much welcome that statement from the member, I would just encourage him to have a word with his Executive Ministerial colleagues and encourage them to support the introduction of minimum unit pricing from alcohol."

“I asked the Minister if he agreed that there was a rapidly shrinking window of opportunity to make progress with the bill and that if the Executive blockage wasn't soon removed that the opportunity to progress this vital piece of minimum pricing legislation in this mandate would be lost.

“His reply was very concerning...

"As I say, the policy requires the support of the Executive. I await formal confirmation of the position of Executive colleagues. Time is running out and I would just add to that, prior to the 6th of April coming, I'm required to either bring forward legislation to set that minimum unit price or make a statement to the Assembly on why it has not been reasonably practical to do so. That's a requirement in the Licensing and Registrations of Clubs Amendment Act Northern Ireland 2021. I fear I am going to be doing the latter and I very, very much regret that."

“When many commentators lament the shortage of actual legislation being passed by the Assembly, it is hugely disappointing that such an important piece of proposed, and impactive,  legislation can't even be approved by some Executive Ministers to even be debated by the Assembly”.