Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 4.17 of the Autumn Budget 2017, what assessment he has made of the effect of freezing alcohol duties on alcohol-related hospital admissions.

The Treasury engages with a wide variety of organisations to understand policy impacts, including the impact on public health.

Public Health England supports local authorities in commissioning effective alcohol prevention and treatment services by providing bespoke advice on good practice to help them meet the needs of their local population. In addition, the UK Chief Medical Officers have produced new low risk drinking guidelines which provide the public with the latest information about the health risks of different levels and patterns of drinking. The guidelines are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/alcohol-consumption-advice-on-low-risk-drinking