Welsh Ministers have made the Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Act 2018 (Continuation) Regulations 2026. Approved by the Senedd on 3 February and signed on 6 February, the instrument takes effect on Monday, 9 February 2026 and avoids the statutory sunset due in early March. (gov.wales)
The 2018 Act sets a legal floor for alcohol supplied by retailers, using a statutory calculation and enforced by local authorities. It is an offence to supply, or authorise supply, below the applicable minimum price. Welsh Government guidance confirms the regime applies to all businesses and persons required to hold an alcohol licence. (law.gov.wales)
Today’s continuation does not change the price floor. The minimum unit price remains 50p through to 30 September 2026. A separate set of regulations-passed alongside the continuation measure-raises the unit price to 65p from 1 October 2026. (gov.wales)
In practical terms, retailers in Wales should maintain pricing and promotions at or above the statutory floor now, and prepare systems, shelf‑edge labels and e‑commerce pricing for the October uplift. Local authority trading standards teams will continue to oversee compliance. (gov.wales)
The calculation prescribed in law is straightforward: minimum unit price multiplied by alcoholic strength (ABV) multiplied by volume in litres. For a 440ml can of 4% beer, the current minimum is £0.50 × 4 × 0.44 = £0.88; from 1 October it will be £0.65 × 4 × 0.44 = £1.14. (law.gov.wales)
Enforcement remains local‑authority led, with investigation and entry powers and the ability to bring prosecutions. Supplying below the applicable minimum price is an offence punishable by a fine. Retailers should expect continued inspection activity as the regime rolls on. (gov.wales)
The continuation instrument was brought forward ahead of the Act’s six‑year expiry window linked to commencement in March 2020. Government consultation materials explain the original sunset provision and the requirement to report on the policy’s operation after five years. (gov.wales)
Ministers cite updated modelling indicating that moving to 65p could prevent more than 900 alcohol‑related deaths over 20 years and reduce harmful drinking. Government communications also stress that minimum pricing is a price floor, not a tax. (gov.wales)
For cross‑border context, Scotland’s minimum unit price has stood at 65p since 30 September 2024. Aligning at that level from October 2026 reduces divergence across Great Britain for suppliers and multi‑site operators. (mygov.scot)
For licensing officers, trading standards and operators, the immediate action is continuity: keep observing the 50p floor and document compliance checks. The medium‑term task is implementation planning for 1 October 2026 so that price files, promotions and staff training switch cleanly to the 65p threshold. (gov.wales)