Minimum pricing: MSPs to discuss proposal with academics. Pic: © STV
Academics from a university which researched the potential impact of minimum alcohol unit pricing will appear before a Holyrood committee investigating the plan.
Dr John Holmes and Professor Alan Brennan of the University of Sheffield will face questions on the SNP's proposal to set a floor price.
The policy, which fell under the SNP's previous minority administration, is being taken through the Scottish Parliament again as part of wider plans to tackle the country's unhealthy drinking culture.
No price has yet been set, although 45p has been used to illustrate the policy.
MSPs will also hear from Andrew Leicester, a senior research economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
In a written submission, he argued there will be a greater impact on low-income households.
He stated: "Poorer households are less likely to consume alcohol and pay lower prices when they do.
"Those with incomes below £10,000 paid 40p per off-licence alcohol unit on average in 2010 compared to 49p for those with incomes over £70,000 (though total consumption among those who drink was similar in both groups).
"Without behavioural changes, the cost to the poorest households of a 45p unit minimum price would be 2% of their total food budget, compared to 1.3% for the richest.
"The impact would also be greatest for those who consume the most alcohol - those buying more than 35 units per adult per week would lose 13% of their food budget."
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