SCOTTISH LABOUR has renewed calls for a sales levy on booze to fund treatment services, nearly six years after minimum unit pricing was introduced.

The SNP Scottish government brought in minimum unit pricing for alcohol in 2018 in what has been viewed as a relatively successful attempt to curb consumption, but the measure does not generate extra cash for the public purse.

Introduced three years after a public health supplement for large retailers on alcohol was scrapped, minimum unit pricing has faced criticism for boosting the profit margins of retailers, while funding for addiction services has been cut across the country.

SNP Finance Secretary Shona Robison pledged in December’s draft Budget to explore the reintroduction of a levy.

But Labour MSP Carol Mochan has called on the Scottish government to move from exploration to action, saying: “The SNP’s actions are allowing retailers to cash in on additional money from alcohol sales while front-line services are being cut.

“This is nothing short of a shameful failure of those most in need and a clear example of this government’s skewed priorities.

“Minimum unit pricing is no silver bullet, and, without properly funded drug and alcohol partnerships, then more lives will be avoidably lost.

“Scottish Labour is repeating its longstanding call for the implementation of a public health levy so that services and those who need them get the support that they need.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “The Scottish government is determined to do all we can to reduce alcohol-related harm and is working closely with alcohol and drug partnerships and the third sector to do so.

“The [Budget] announcement signalled the Scottish government’s intent to explore the reintroduction of a public health supplement.

“All relevant stakeholders will be consulted as part of that exploratory work.”