SARG experts to present at IAS webinar on minimum unit pricing
SARG Director Professor John Holmes and Research Fellow Dr Abi Stevely will be sharing their extensive knowledge and insights on minimum unit pricing (MUP) at a webinar hosted by the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS).
This free webinar, 'Minimum Unit Pricing: Lessons for England', will take place on Thursday 29 May at 12pm. It will explore key aspects of MUP, drawing on experiences from Scotland and Wales to inform potential policy discussions in England.
The event will provide a comprehensive overview of MUP, examining its theoretical underpinnings and practical impacts. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the policy's implementation in Scotland and Wales, including the political and media landscape, industry responses, health outcomes, and economic effects. The webinar will also address potential unintended consequences, such as the erosion of MUP's effectiveness due to inflation and retailer profit margins.
Key topics to be covered
- What MUP is and how it works.
- Key lessons learned from Scotland and Wales, including advocacy efforts.
- The impact of MUP on dependent drinkers and people in deprived areas.
- Recommendations for how England could improve upon the devolved nations' policies.
- Findings from a new Social Market Foundation report on recouping windfall retailer profits.
Agenda
12:00-12:10: Introduction from Dr. Katherine Severi, IAS
12:10-12:20: Dr. Abi Stevely, Sheffield Addictions Research Group
12:20-12:30: Prof John Holmes, Sheffield Addictions Research Group
12:30-12:40: Alison Douglas, Alcohol Focus Scotland
12:40-12:50: Andrew Misell, Alcohol Change UK
12:50-13:00: Jake Shepherd, Social Market Foundation
13:00-13:30: Q&A session facilitated by Dr. Katherine Severi
This event is aimed at public health professionals, researchers, healthcare workers, civil servants, NGOs and health agencies.
SARG's expertise in minimum unit pricing
The Sheffield Addictions Research Group has played a pivotal role in the development and implementation of MUP policies. Our research has directly informed the introduction of MUP in Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland, and we were instrumental in defending the policy during legal challenges in Scotland.
Since 2009, SARG has conducted numerous modelling projects for the Scottish Government to assess the impact of MUP. Our work directly informed Scotland's decision to increase the MUP level from 50p to 65p in September 2024, and the Scottish Government cited SARG's research when announcing this increase to parliament.
Registration
Register to attend 'Minimum Unit Pricing: Lessons for England' via Eventbrite.
-
SARG and IAS partner to lead session at Portorož Youth Health Forum 2026
Dr Laura Fenton, Research Fellow at the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG), and Dr Peter Rice, Chair of the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) and President of Eurocare, will co-lead an interactive session at the Portorož Youth Health Forum 2026 in Slovenia.
-
The higher cost of a healthier option: SARG study lifts the lid on why no/lo alcohol beer drinkers feel out of pocket
People buying alcohol-free and low-alcohol beers pay more for choosing a healthier option, according to new research by the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG).
-
Tobacco company levy could raise up to £4.9bn and prevent 10,000 hospital admissions, study suggests
New modelling from the Sheffield Addictions Research Group shows a 'polluter pays' levy scheme could cut smoking deaths, reduce hospital admissions, and raise billions in tax revenue.
-
SARG researchers lead UK's biggest effort to tackle gambling harms
A major new national effort to tackle gambling harms and shape future policy, prevention and treatment across the UK is being led by researchers from the Sheffield Addictions Research Group.
You might also be interested in…
-
Natural experimental evaluation of increasing the minimum unit price for alcohol in Scotland to 65p
This natural experimental evaluation will investigate the public health impact of the increase in Scotland's minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol from 50p to 65p in September 2024
-
New report on minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Wales
The Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG) has published a major new report that models the impact of alcohol pricing policies on alcohol consumption and harm in Wales.
-
Minimum unit pricing
The Sheffield Addictions Research Group has been highly influential in the introduction of minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol in Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland. Here we answer some common questions about minimum unit pricing.