Welsh Conservatives have accused the Plaid Cymru First Minister of hitting hardworking families in the pocket by increasing the minimum price of a unit of alcohol by 30%.
From 1st October 2026, the minimum price of a unit of alcohol increased from 50p to 65p, leading to residents sharing cost comparisons of alcoholic drinks in England and Wales on social media.
The Welsh Government says the policy is intended to reduce alcohol-related harm, but Welsh Conservatives has accused Plaid Cymru of driving up the cost of living pressures for moderate drinkers.
Darren Millar MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said:
“Nobody disputes that alcohol misuse can cause enormous harm, but simply driving up the cost of alcohol for everyone achieves nothing. Increasing the price of alcohol does not treat addiction and evidence shows that many high-risk drinkers may struggle with increased costs, but continue drinking.
“By increasing the minimum cost of alcohol by 30% at a time when many families are feeling the pinch simply penalises the vast majority who drink socially and responsibly.
“Shoppers in border areas are now travelling to England to avoid higher prices in Wales, which is causing retailers here to lose out.
“If the Plaid Cymru Welsh Government is serious about tackling alcohol-related harm, we should make sure people who are dependent on alcohol can access effective treatment and timely rehabilitation services.”
He added:
“We need to grow the economy, cut welfare and get people back into work as a means of creating a more prosperous society and making it less likely that people will turn to alcohol misuse. Simply putting up prices and hitting hardworking families in the pocket is not the answer.”
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