Deaths from alcohol misuse in England and Wales hit 20-year high in 2020

[Northerner]

Deaths directly attributable to alcohol misuse rose dramatically to reach a 20-year high in England and Wales as coronavirus took hold last year, possibly driven by increased consumption by higher-risk drinkers, official data shows.

There were 7,423 alcohol-specific deaths in 2020, up 20% on the previous year and the highest annual death toll since records began in 2001, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. In population terms the rate rose year-on-year from 11 to 13 per 100,000.

The ONS said alcohol consumption in higher-risk drinkers had risen during the pandemic, and suggested deaths were likely to be concentrated among people with long-term drink problems, including those who had been abstinent but relapsed.

Four out of five alcohol-specific deaths in 2020 – defined as being a direct consequence of alcohol misuse – were from alcoholic liver disease. A further 10% were from mental and behavioural disorders due to alcohol use, and 6% accidental alcohol poisoning.

Deaths from alcohol misuse in England and Wales hit 20-year high in 2020

ONS figures show death rate starting to rise at beginning of first lockdown and increasing sharply each quarter

www.theguardian.com

 

[mikeyB]

Oh dear, poor England and Wales. Consumption has increased in Scotland too, but not to the same degree. Why? Because in Scotland alcohol is priced at 50p a unit. It's just too expensive for the heavy drinkers to buy their usual cheap powerful ciders, and Special Brew in a loss leader multipack, which are illegal in Scotland. So the image of folk sitting in doorways on Sauchiehall street begging for the price of a coffee is fading into the past.

The off licences haven't lost any income - the extra pricing goes into profit, it isn't a government tax. But you can bet your house on it being additional tax if the English government follow Scotland's lead. Scotland has done all the hard work, the drinks companies took their case to the European Court, who judged in favour of the Scottish government, so it would be a breeze just doing it. The reason they won't? It applies to all alcohol sales, including the subsidised bars in the House of Commons, where our conscientious leaders can get pissed on the cheap.