Labour's alcohol commission due to report

The alcohol commission set up by the Labour Party in Scotland is due to publish its final report.

It is expected to recommend a UK-wide alternative to the government's plans to introduce minimum unit pricing.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon wants to tackle excessive drinking by setting a basic price per unit of alcohol, to make strong drinks less affordable.

The main opposition parties intend to unite to block the measure because they say it would hit responsible drinkers.

Labour's alcohol commission, chaired by Professor Sally Brown, has been looking at alternatives and it is expected to recommend the UK-wide ban on alcohol sales below the combined cost of production, duty and VAT and with possible duty hikes to reduce consumption.

Earlier in the year, Labour published the interim findings of its commission, which included a legal limit on the caffeine content of alcoholic drinks - a move which would effectively ban the tonic wine Buckfast.

The Scottish government has already pledged to consider "any workable alternatives" to a minimum price for a unit of alcohol.

Before the summer recess, MSPs voted for the principles of the Alcohol (Scotland) Bill.