Liver UK, the new name for the British Liver Trust and Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, has officially launched in Westminster with a clear message to parliamentarians — liver disease is rising, largely preventable, and demands urgent national action to tackle health inequalities.
The launch took place at a parliamentary drop-in event, “What’s the Burden of Liver Disease in Your Constituency?”, attended by over 27 MPs, who met with the Liver UK team to discuss the need for earlier detection, stronger prevention, and action to address the stark geographic inequalities affecting liver disease outcomes across the UK. At the event, Liver UK shared its new Liver Disease Constituency Profiles with parliamentarians, giving MPs and Peers clear, local data on the impact of liver disease in their own areas. The profiles show that liver disease does not affect all communities equally — underlining the urgent need for targeted prevention, earlier diagnosis and consistent care pathways across the UK.
Liver UK provides a single, stronger voice for children, adults and families affected by liver disease and liver cancer. The event was sponsored by Co-Chairs of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Liver Disease and Liver Cancer Dr Beccy Cooper MP and Lorraine Beavers MP, and our constituency MP for Winchester, Dr Danny Chambers MP.
Vanessa Hebditch, Director of Policy, said:
Liver disease is a key indicator of the nation’s health. Our new Liver Disease Constituency Profiles expose stark inequalities across the UK and show the real impact liver disease is having on communities, families, the NHS and the economy. With the right action, we can turn the tide on liver disease. Prevention, earlier diagnosis and fairer access to care will save lives.
We were delighted to have the support of so many parliamentarians attend our event and commit to improving liver health and driving meaningful change for people affected by liver disease. We’d also like to thank all of the supporters who wrote to their MP asking them to attend – quite a number who attended mentioned they had been contacted.
Why This Matters
Liver disease deaths have increased by more than 400% in two generations, driven largely by alcohol, obesity and viral hepatitis — placing significant, avoidable pressure on the NHS, families and the wider economy. In 2022, more than 18,000 people died of liver disease and liver cancer across the UK. In England alone, 85,000 people were hospitalised due to liver disease in 2023. Yet around 90% of liver disease is preventable. When caught early, damage can often be halted or reversed through lifestyle changes, treatment and support.
Our Call to MPs
Liver UK is calling on MPs to write to their local ICB to ask them to ensure that there is pathway for the early detection of liver disease in their area. liver disease pathway. Our research shows that only 36% of areas have a fully effective pathway for the early detection of liver disease, and full pathways are needed to tackle severe health inequalities and ensure more people are diagnosed earlier. You can read more about the campaign here.
We are also asking MPs to back Dr Beccy Cooper’s Ten Minute Rule Bill on Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) and to help secure the future of the Liver Disease Transformation Programme which prioritises liver disease in the NHS.
With cross-party support building behind these calls, Liver UK will continue working with MPs, Peers and the NHS to ensure earlier diagnosis, better care, and fairer outcomes for everyone affected by liver disease.
