There has been “a catastrophic rise” in deaths caused solely by alcohol in England over the past four years, prompting public-health experts to call for urgent action.
More than 8,200 people died because of alcohol in 2023 – a 42% rise on 2019 – with the North East having the highest rates.
The Alcohol Health Alliance UK says alcohol consumption could be reduced if a minimum price for each unit was introduced, as in Scotland.
The government says it’s unacceptable that alcohol deaths are at record high levels and it will prioritise public health in its 10-year plan for the NHS in England.
During the pandemic, deaths caused by alcohol rose sharply across the UK.
Since then, deaths have continued to go up in England – although more slowly than in previous years.
The Alcohol Health Alliance, which represents 60 organisations working to reduce the harm it causes, says it’s “an alarming trend” that ripples through society “putting growing pressure on our economy and health services”.
Heavy drinking cuts lives short, shatters families and leaves children to cope with grief and trauma, it says.
The alliance predicts further rises in deaths from alcohol “and an ever greater burden on our healthcare system and society”.
It’s chairman, Prof Sir Ian Gilmore, said: “Without bold, decisive action, these preventable deaths will continue to climb. Addressing alcohol harm must be a top public-health priority in 2025, and it requires a cross-government effort to turn the tide on this public-health crisis.”
In Scotland, where alcohol-specific death rates have always been higher, there were 1,277 deaths from alcohol in 2023 – the same as the previous year.
The Alliance says minimum unit pricing of alcohol in Scotland “has proven effective in reducing alcohol-related harm”.
The policy was introduced in Scotland in 2018. The minimum cost of a unit of alcohol there has risen from 50p to 65p in recent months. This means no alcoholic drink can be sold for anything below this price.
Critics of minimum pricing say that serious drinkers will continue to buy alcohol and simply cut back on other things. They say it’s unfair on those who drink responsibly, particularly those on low incomes.
A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care said there had been an unwillingness to lead on issues such as alcohol harm, smoking and obesity “for too long”.
“It is unacceptable that alcohol deaths are now at record high levels.
“Our 10-year health plan will shift the focus of the NHS from sickness to prevention. This means prioritising public-health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives.”