NFRN members have heralded the Welsh Government’s plan to introduce a minimum unit price (MUP) of 50 pence as a step in the right direction for alcohol policy.

The federation said independent retailers are too often the victims of alcohol-fuelled crime or anti-social behaviour, despite selling the product responsibly. Therefore, the Welsh Government’s decision to introduce a MUP, which is expected to have a huge effect on crime and the cost of crime, with an estimated 3,684 fewer offences a year, is a welcome effort to tackle harmful drinking and limit its impact on others.

NFRN national president Ralph Patel welcomed the announcement. He said: “We are delighted that the Welsh Government has recognised the evidence supporting this policy and is taking action to ensure that alcohol plays less of a role in retailers’ lives. MUP is an important measure to help ease the pressure on services including the police up and down the country.”

NFRN chief executive Paul Baxter added: “The federation believes this is a significant step in tackling alcohol fuelled anti-social behaviour and will deliver a visible result for retailers’ effected, however, we call on England to follow suit and bring forward this vital measure.”

The Deputy Minister for Health, Vaughan Gething unveiled the draft Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Bill on July 15 and launched a consultation on it. The NFRN said it will be gathering the opinions of members and responding in due course.