'Perfect storm' sparks drinks deaths rise

Cheap alcohol and people worries over the coronavirus pandemic have created a “perfect storm” for harmful drinking, say health experts

The warning – from regional alcohol abuse campaigners Balance – comes as Public Health England figures show deaths from alcoholic liver disease increased by a staggering 20.8% during the pandemic, the highest yearly increase on record.

The report coincides with the release of findings from a survey by Balance which shows around 855,000 people in the North East were drinking at levels above the risk limits during 2020.

Sue Taylor, acting head of alcohol policy for Balance, said: “The PHE report and the Balance survey together paint a hugely-worrying picture about drinking patterns over the last year and highlight an urgent need for action. The UK was already at a crisis point with alcohol long before Covid, but the pandemic saw a tipping point.

"Cheap, strong alcohol, together with the terrible anxieties created by Covid, created a “perfect storm” which resulted in millions more drinking at risky levels, problems for families and heavy use turning into dependency.”

She added: “It is clear that people in the North East recognise the serious problems associated with alcohol. There is also strong support for more action from the Government to tackle alcohol harms in our communities.

"Alcohol is too cheap, too available and too heavily promoted. We need evidence-based action now, before millions more suffer.”