The SNP want to ban young people under the age of 21 from buying alcohol in off-sales.

The SNP’s plans for a national ban were defeated in the Scottish Parliament, but they have pressed ahead with a plan for local licensing boards to have the ability to introduce the ban.

Scottish Labour’s Richard Simpson has moved an amendment to the Alcohol Bill to remove the powers.

The National Union of Students has branded the SNP’s proposals as ‘unfair and discriminatory’.

Join Scottish Labour's campaign today to stop the SNP punishing Scotland's young people.

Liam Burns, NUS Scotland President, said:

“The idea of banning young people under the age of 21 from buying alcohol has always been absolutely unfair and discriminatory. How could it be fair that someone could vote, pay taxes and fight for their country, but not buy alcohol for their home?

“We worked very hard with organisations across Scotland to fight the blanket ban originally proposed and we continue to fight proposals for back-door alcohol bans on young people at the local level.

“Local changes in age restrictions for alcohol would be entirely unworkable and given they could be done without consultation entirely undemocratic.”

Scottish Labour's Public Health spokesman, Dr Richard Simpson, said:

"NUS Scotland is absolutely right to condemn the SNP’s attempt to ban young people from off-licences as unfair and discriminatory. If someone is responsible enough to vote they should also be able to buy a bottle of wine

“I hope that MSPs from all sides of the Chamber will listen to what NUS Scotland is saying and back my amendment.

"Join Labour's campaign today to stop the SNP punishing Scotland's young people."