Bananas! — Sturgeon accused of being on slippery ground with alcohol pricing claims
Scotland's health secretary has been branded ''bananas'' after claiming fruit and vegetables will drop in price once minimum pricing of alcohol is introduced.
Nicola Sturgeon argued these would become cheaper if alcohol prices increase.
- By David Clegg, political editor
- Published in the Courier : 01.02.12
- Published online : 01.02.12 @ 11.29am
Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs that supermarkets increase the price of other products to subsidise the selling of cheap drink. And she predicted forcing retailers to set a minimum unit price on alcohol would keep other grocery bills down.
She said the measure — currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament — would reduce ''loss leading'' whereby supermarkets reduce the cost of alcohol in a bid to attract customers and make up the money by increasing the price of other goods.
''Consumers will pay the cost of cheap alcohol through higher prices for other things that they buy because clearly supermarkets will loss-lead on things,'' she said. ''So, without being flippant about it, your bananas will cost you more if alcohol has been deep-discounted.
''So I think minimum pricing has also got that benefit, in that you don't see other goods basically becoming more expensive to subsidise cheap alcohol.''
Ms Sturgeon's analysis was dismissed by Labour's public health spokesman Richard Simpson. He pointed out that academic studies have shown retailers would be in line for a £100 million windfall if the policy was introduced.
He added: ''Nicola Sturgeon's argument that this policy will make bananas cheaper is utterly bananas. If groceries become cheaper, then alcohol becomes more affordable — Nicola Sturgeon has just undermined her own argument.''
The row erupted as revised research predicted setting a minimum price of 45p for a unit of alcohol would save 63 lives in the first year.
Sheffield University academics found that the 45p price, coupled with an off-trade discount ban already in place, would save an estimated 327 lives by year 10. They also estimate hospital admissions would reduce by about 6,600 a year, while the NHS would save £22 million annually.
The legislation failed to win support under the previous minority SNP administration but is expected to be passed this year thanks to the party's new-found majority.
Photo by Clive Gee/PA Archive
11.43am - 01.02.2012 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
What Sturgeon says is perfectly reasonable, but trust Labour to come up with a negative spin. Their spokesman seems to be advocating keeping basic foodstuffs expensive thereby making alcohol unaffordable. They seem intent on exacerbating the effects of poverty simply to oppose the SNP's policy.
01.16pm - 01.02.2012 Alexander - Montrose, Angus Report This
Children can buy alcohol at pocket money prices with change left over to get cigarettes. The SG are right to take action, on alcohol and tobacco, you would have thought it would be supported by the whole of parliament.
01.42pm - 01.02.2012 Duncan Rogers - Dunfermline, Scotland Report This
I am deeply disappointed in the SNP's ploy tactics hinting that (other) foodstuffs will reduce in price following implementation of minimum pricing on alcohol. Talk about spin doctoring. Ms Sturgeon is more definitely in cloud cuckoo land than I already knew she was.
05.47pm - 01.02.2012 Peter Wiles - Milpitas, USA Report This
Sounds to me like the SNP has been hijacked by Obama clones. My daughter was born in (and lives in Scotland) and like most intelligent and hard working people is outraged by this nonsense.
06.38pm - 01.02.2012 Willy - Dundee, Scotland UK Report This
I had to laugh when Nicola Sturgeon suggest this as it suggests an early April Fool's joke on the voter. Bananas will be cheaper? Hehehe
08.04pm - 01.02.2012 David - New York, USA Report This
Scotland has a serious drinking problem and the violence that is fueled by it is massive. Scotland needs to take action. I have lived in NY for 3 years and never seen the scale of trouble that currently exists in Scotland despite there being more people here.
03.06pm - 03.02.2012 Thornindaside - perth, scotland Report This
Who are the main buyers of these cut price supermarket offers?I don't drink should I feel resentment towards them for the price of bananas(poor example cos they are an awful lot cheaper than the days of her childhood) I resent some MSP's patronising'we always know whats best'social engineering.
07.40pm - 03.02.2012 Craig - tayport, Scotland Report This
This is just another reason why I am turning my back on the SNP. I am sick fed up of living in an alleged democracy. This move will not save the N.H.S money this will just increase the sales of bootleg booze. Nicola Sturgeon needs to stop this dictatorial regime !
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