The British Liver Trust is delighted that our campaign, in partnership with the Alcohol Health Alliance, for alcohol duty to increase in line with inflation has been confirmed in this week’s Budget. From the 1st August most alcohol duty will increase in line with inflation.
Pamela Healy OBE, CEO of the British Liver Trust, said:
“We welcome the Chancellor’s decision to increase most alcohol duty in line with inflation from August. This is the first rise in alcohol duty in a decade and will help to save lives and reduce pressures on the NHS.
Further action is also needed to reduce alcohol harm, which is a leading driver of liver disease deaths. Alcohol specific deaths surged by 27% between 2019 and 2021, almost 80% of which were caused by alcohol related liver disease.
Liver disease deaths are also four times higher in our most deprived areas. Targeted action is needed to reduce health inequalities in liver disease, if we want to achieve the Government’s ambition to narrow the gap in Healthy Life Expectancy and level up health.”
Pricing policies and taxation are among the most effective public health measures that policymakers can use to reduce alcohol harm. Urgent action is needed around alcohol pricing and promotions, to address the burden of alcohol related liver disease on the NHS. However, today’s decision is a welcomed announcement, and will reduce alcohol harm and liver disease deaths.
