SL(6)701 – The Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Act 2018 (Continuation) Regulations 2026

Background and Purpose

The Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Act 2018 (“the Act”) makes provision about the minimum price for which alcohol is to be supplied in Wales to a person in Wales to address concerns around the health and social harms of excessive alcohol consumption.    

Section 22(1) of the Act provides that the minimum pricing provisions set out in the Act cease to have effect after 6 years from the date on which section 2 of the Act comes into force, unless the Welsh Ministers make regulations providing otherwise.  Section 2 of the Act came into force on 2 March 2020.

In reliance on powers in section 22(2) of the Act, these regulations dis-apply that repeal in section 22(1).  The effect of these regulations is that the minimum pricing provisions set out in the Act will continue in force. 

Procedure

Draft Affirmative.

The Welsh Ministers have laid a draft of the Regulations before the Senedd. The Welsh Ministers cannot make the Regulations unless the Senedd approves the draft Regulations.

Technical Scrutiny

No points are identified for reporting under Standing Order 21.2 in respect of this instrument.

Merits Scrutiny  

The following point is identified for reporting under Standing Order 21.3 in respect of this instrument.

1. Standing Order 21.3(ii) – that it is of political or legal importance or gives rise to issues of public policy likely to be of interest to the Senedd

Paragraph 2.1 of the Explanatory Memorandum explains as follows:

“This instrument has been prepared outside the new software for Welsh statutory instruments; it may be the case that minor formatting improvements need to be made during the registration process if this legislation is approved by the Senedd and made by the Welsh Ministers.”

Welsh Government response

A Welsh Government response is not required.

Legal Advisers

Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

13 January 2026