Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of new data from the Office for National Statistics showing that alcohol-specific deaths are now 32.8 per cent higher than in 2019 and at an all-time high; and what steps they plan to take to tackle rising alcohol harm.

Answered by Lord Markham

The Government keeps all official health data related to alcohol consumption and alcohol related harms under regular review. The 2021 Public Health England publication, Monitoring alcohol consumption and harm during the COVID-19 pandemic, found that increases in alcohol consumption since the beginning of the pandemic tended to be among people who were already heavy drinkers before this period, which may be a factor in the increase.

The most effective way to prevent alcohol specific deaths, is drinking within the United Kingdom Chief Medical Officers’ low-risk drinking guidelines, namely under 14 units per week. The Government is supporting people who drink above low-risk levels to reduce their alcohol consumption. As part of the NHS Health Check, questions are asked about alcohol consumption, and appropriate advice given to support people to make healthier choices. Those identified to be drinking at higher-risk levels are referred for liver investigation. The Department is also supporting people with alcohol dependency through the Drug Strategy and NHS Long Term Plan, by facilitating more people in need of treatment into local authority commissioned alcohol treatment services.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to meet their 2020 commitment to a consultation on alcohol calorie labelling.

Answered by Lord Markham

The Government has previously announced an intention to consult on whether to introduce mandatory calorie labelling on alcohol. We are currently considering the evidence base, and have commissioned a National Institute for Health and Care Research study on understanding the impact of alcohol calorie labelling on alcohol and calorie selection, purchasing, and consumption.

The Government is taking a wide-ranging approach to addressing alcohol-related harms. As part of the NHS Health Check, information on alcohol consumption is provided to support people to make healthier choices. The Department continues to promote the United Kingdom’s Chief Medical Officers’ Low Risk Drinking Guidelines in England through online platforms. This provides the public with the most up-to-date scientific information, to help people make informed decisions about their own drinking, including the health harms of alcohol consumption.

Found: members declared the following interests: Lord McLoughlin (Chair): Chair, Transport for the North Baroness

Found: Baroness Chakrabarti The Earl of Lindsay Lord Cunningham of Felling Lord McLoughlin (Chair) Baroness

Found: Baroness Chakrabarti The Earl of Lindsay Lord Cunningham of Felling Lord McLoughlin (Chair) Baroness

Found: Baroness Chakrabarti The Earl of Lindsay Lord Cunningham of Felling Lord McLoughlin (Chair) Baroness

Found: Baroness Chakrabarti The Earl of Lindsay Lord Cunningham of Felling Lord McLoughlin (Chair) Baroness

Found: BARONESS BRINTON BARONESS FINLAY OF LLANDAFF BARONESS CAMPBELL OF SURBITON As an amendment to

Found: Lindsay Baroness Chakrabarti Lord McLoughlin (Chair) Lord Cunningham of Felling Lord Rooker Baroness