North-South divide on alcohol problems

There is a big North-South divide in the harm caused by alcohol, according to new research.

The Local Alcohol Profiles in England report, published by the North West Public Health Observatory, shows that two-thirds of the areas with the highest levels of alcohol-related harm are in the North.

The data showed there were almost 16,000 alcohol-related deaths in England last year with an 8% increase in alcohol-related hospital admissions to 606,799.

Liverpool had the highest rate of hospital admissions while researchers found that if alcohol-related deaths in Blackpool were prevented, men would live on average two years longer. Blackpool had the highest rate of incapacity benefit due to alcoholism and Broadland in Norfolk the lowest.

But London had the highest rate of alcohol-related crime with the boroughs of Newham, Westminster, Slough and Islington faring the worst.

"The price we pay for turning a blind eye to the real extent of alcohol abuse across England is reflected in the new Local Alcohol Profiles for England and it is a price that is paid especially by the poorest communities," said Professor Mark Bellis.

"It is time to recognise that we are not a population of responsible drinkers with just a hand full of irresponsible individuals ruining it for others.

"We need to see the real cost of alcohol reflected in the price it is sold at, and the warnings about the dangers that alcohol represents not relegated to a tiny corner in alcohol adverts, but written large enough for people to recognise the seriousness of the risks."