According to the ONS Statistics on Alcohol in England report published yesterday (30 May), in 2011 64% of men drank below the maximum recommended weekly level of 21 units a week, while 63% of women consumed fewer than 14 units per week – the maximum recommended weekly level for females.
The number of young people being admitted to hospital fell by 16% for under 16s, and 2.4% for 16-24-year-olds.
Altogether 12% of school pupils confessed to drinking alcohol in the last week - a decline from 26% in 2001 but a similar level to 2010, when 13% of pupils admitted this.
However, the data revealed a 3.8% rise in the overall number of alcohol-related deaths which stood at 6,669 in 2010. Female mortality rates rose from 2,230 in 2010 to 2,405 in 2011, while the number of male deaths increased from 4,439 in 2010 to 4,518 in 2011.
Elaine Hindal, chief executive of alcohol education charity Drinkaware said: “While these figures seem to suggest that the majority of the country is drinking responsibly, the glaringly high number of hospital admissions due to alcohol remains critical.
“Over a million people were admitted for alcohol-related problems in 2011/12, placing a huge burden on the NHS. An additional 52,000 people were admitted to UK hospitals in the last year alone.”
Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association said the figures demonstrated ‘significant progress’ with the majority of people drinking within weekly guidelines.
"Whilst we are concerned by the increase in alcohol related deaths these figures show that the Government must target its effort on the minority who drink to excess instead of penalising the responsible drinking majority,” he added.
In a statement, the British Beer & Pub Association said: “Alcohol misuse remains a problem for a minority, and is something we must all work to tackle. Nevertheless, key trends are moving in the right direction.”