Fiona recently asked a number of Written Questions on the issue of alcohol usage during the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
Her first question addressed what steps were being taken to prevent a rise in alcohol usage during the COVID-19 outbreak.
"To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to prevent a rise in alcohol use during the covid-19 outbreak."
The full answer by Jo Churchill MP, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is as follows:
"Public Health England (PHE) published advice and information for the public on looking after their mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak, which recommends people avoid using alcohol. Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak alcohol treatment providers are continuing to support and treat people misusing alcohol. The guidance can be viewed at the following link:
PHE continues to maintain the FRANK website and helpline, which provides a service for people who are concerned about their own or others’ alcohol consumption. The website can be accessed at the following link:
Her second question asked what assessment his Department has identified trends in alcohol usage over lockdown.
"To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of alcohol use during the covid-19 lockdown."
The full answer, again by Jo Churchill MP on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is that:
"It is too early to make any assessment of the level of alcohol use during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Department is working with Public Health England and NHS England and NHS Improvement and stakeholders to monitor indicators to track any behaviour change."