On Monday 17th October, the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, announced plans to allow alcohol duty to rise in line with inflation, increasing revenue from alcohol by £600 million per year.
The rise is alcohol duty shows that the Government is serious about dealing with the tragedy of alcohol abuse in the UK. Alcohol harm has devastating effects on people’s lives, directly leading as it does to increases in crime, domestic abuse and family breakdown. Alcohol abuse burdens an already stretched NHS, and costs the UK taxpayer £27 billion every year.
The fight against alcohol abuse must continue to be fought, in whatever way possible, to lessen the many ways in which alcohol harm ruins lives. One of the clearest, most effective, and simplest ways to do this is by raising the price of alcohol.
The aim is that, as a result of the rise in alcohol duty, fewer incidents of alcohol harm will occur. This is an urgent issue that continues to affect tens of thousands in our country. Deaths directly linked to alcohol abuse rose by 19% in 2020. It is especially urgent given the disproportionate effect alcohol has on those in lower socioeconomic groups and some of the most vulnerable in our communities. Deaths and hospital admissions are 60% higher in the most deprived groups compared to the least.
Fiona Bruce MP, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on Recovery from Addiction, and who has campaigned for many years for greater support for those who suffer the consequences of alcohol harm, including families and children, said,
‘There is a clear link between the affordability of alcohol and its negative effects on society, and people’s lives. We must grip the ravages of alcohol abuse, and this rise in alcohol duty should begin to do that. That alcohol harm affects the poorest in our communities the most, and that it is the leading risk factor for death, ill-health and disability amongst 15-49-year-olds across the UK is profoundly unacceptable and this additional funding must be used to address these concerns.’