Harm caused by alcohol costs £27.4 billion annually in England
The harm caused by alcohol costs £27.4 billion annually in England, new estimates suggest. According to the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS), this represents more than a 40% increase in the cost of harm since 2003. In contrast, alcohol tax revenue generates approximately £12.5 billion per year, significantly less than the financial burden of alcohol-related harm.
The IAS highlights that alcohol harm costs the NHS £4.9 billion, an amount sufficient to cover nearly half of the nurses’ salaries in England. Dr. Katherine Severi, chief executive of the IAS, stated that the financial cost of harm has risen alongside increasing alcohol consumption and record-high alcohol-related deaths. She urged the Government to develop a comprehensive alcohol strategy to mitigate these rising costs.
Crime & Disorder
The IAS also reported that alcohol-related crime and disorder cost £14.58 billion, with an additional £5.06 billion lost in the wider economy due to decreased productivity and absenteeism. The North East region bears the highest per capita cost of alcohol harm at £562 annually.
Susan Taylor, head of alcohol policy at Balance, emphasized the urgent need for action to address the rising alcohol harm in the North East, which adversely affects the region’s people, health, and economy.
Preventable
Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chairman of the Alcohol Health Alliance, pointed out the preventable nature of alcohol-related harms and criticized the influence of the alcohol industry on UK policymaking. He called for a government prioritization of public health over industry profits.
Julie Bass, chief executive of Turning Point, noted the preventable nature of alcohol-related deaths and the importance of early intervention and support.
Matt Lambert, chief executive of the Portman Group representing the alcohol industry, acknowledged the impact of alcohol misuse but highlighted the industry’s economic contributions, estimated at £46 billion per year in 2017. He emphasized the industry’s commitment to promoting moderate drinking and reducing alcohol-related harm.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman mentioned the Government’s efforts to address alcohol harm, including a 10-year drug strategy, funding for alcohol and drug support services, and reforms to alcohol duty. The Government is also reviewing official estimates of alcohol harm costs to inform their efforts.
