Brits warned over new alcohol rules in England that could lead to five big changes
Brits could be hit with a raft of new alcohol regulations as England's current rules "are not sufficient to address the scale and complexity of harm", in warnings issued to the Labour Party government.
In an open letter, leading health experts demanded that Health Secretary Wes Streeting take "ambitious" action to tackle the "scale of the current crisis" of alcohol in England. "As experts from across alcohol policy, health and treatment, we urge you to revisit the current approach to tackling alcohol harm and commit to an ambitious, evidence-based strategy that reflects the scale of the current crisis," the letter stated.
"The 10-Year health plan for England offered a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shift gear and deliver genuine preventative action that would reverse the rising rates of alcohol-related hospitalisations and deaths we have seen in recent years." It comes after a Reform UK police chief's 'dark heart of wokeness' claim comes under fire.
READ MORE: Martin Lewis urges NatWest, Nationwide and Lloyds customers 'take action this week'
The letter continued: "While the introduction of mandatory alcohol labelling and increased support for community-led schemes is welcome, these measures alone are not sufficient to address the scale and complexity of harm."
Pricing
The letter also advocates for implementing Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) in England, similar to the systems already in place in Scotland and Wales. The experts emphasise that "alcohol is not just the problem of a few", reports Birmingham Live.
They highlight that across the UK, 30% of adults engage in "risky drinking", and nearly one in 25 of all new cancer diagnoses are estimated to be linked to alcohol. The 10-Year Plan revealed: "While many people enjoy a drink in moderation, 4% of people drink as much as 30% of alcohol consumed each year."
Under the MUP guidelines, alcohol pricing is strictly regulated; for instance, a pint of beer with 2.5 units must be sold at no less than £1.25, while a 9-unit bottle of wine can't go for under £4.50. A 70cl bottle of 40% ABV vodka, containing 28 units, has a minimum price tag of £14.
Hours of sale
When it comes to hours of sale, there's a push for local authorities to have more control over when and how alcohol is sold, including online deliveries. The Department of Health and Social Care has weighed in, stating: "As we shift from sickness to prevention through our 10-Year Health Plan, we will make it mandatory for alcoholic drinks to display health warnings and nutritional information."
They also highlighted increased funding for substance abuse services, noting: "To improve drug and alcohol treatment services and recovery support in England, the Government has also provided an additional £310 million in 2025/26, on top of the public health grant."
Advertising
The debate extends to advertising, with calls for tighter regulations on alcohol promotions to mirror those for foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. The authors of the letter concluded: "The public want and deserve action, and we stand ready to work with Government to deliver real progress.
"By taking meaningful and co-ordinated action now, the burden of alcohol harm can fall significantly within the term of this Government, with visible results for families, the NHS, crime, and the economy."
Tax
The call for a shake-up in alcohol taxation has been echoed by industry voices, with the Portman Group advocating for duties to be pegged to inflation and an end to what's been dubbed "cider exceptionalism". A spokesperson for the group commented: "Whilst overall alcohol consumption and harms such as binge drinking, underage drinking and anti-social behaviour continue to fall, and the vast majority of people drink within the chief medical officer's low-risk guidance or not at all, we share concerns around rising deaths and those who continue to drink to harmful levels.
"We support further targeted and tailored measures aimed at this group to manage the complex, often interrelated issues underlying harmful consumption and back calls for the further rollout of alcohol care teams and greater integration of care pathways.
"As the alcohol industry regulatory body for marketing, we welcome the chance to work constructively with the Government on the proposals within its 10 year plan to help more consumers make an informed choice and drink moderately."
Care teams
The correspondence also stresses the necessity for enhanced funding and support for local alcohol care teams.
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