Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department takes to ensure that the children of problem drinkers (a) have access to and (b) receive the support they need.

Alcohol addiction has a devastating impact on individuals and their families and it is unacceptable that children bear the brunt of their parents’ condition. The Government is considering what further support it can provide to tackle alcohol harms, focusing on vulnerable groups including families and children.

In the meantime, Public Health England is already undertaking a programme of work to address this issue. This includes improving the evidence base; enhancing data; ensuring local authorities are given high quality advice and support in relation to alcohol treatment services, and any safeguarding implications; and social marketing.

The Government has also put in place a range of measures to help ensure children are provided with accurate information and the tools they need to make informed decisions about their relationship with alcohol. This includes the FRANK drug information and advice service; Family Nurse Partnerships to help parents within potentially vulnerable families to develop their parenting capacity; and tailored and co-ordinated support via the Troubled Families programme.