- 02 August 2024
RSPH is part of the Alcohol Health Alliance, a network of health organisations working to reduce alcohol related harm. The Alcohol Health Alliance has written to Chancellor George Osborne urging him not to give in to industry pressure to scrap annual tax increases on alcohol in the next budget.
Alcohol is 61% more affordable than it was in 1980 and the cost of alcohol harm each year is estimated to exceed £21bn, which is more than double the total revenues collected from alcohol duties.
The letter was signed by 24 members of the Alcohol Health Alliance, including our Chief Executive Shirley Cramer CBE, and highlights how reducing the affordability of alcohol is one of the most effective ways of addressing alcohol harm.
It also argues that the alcohol duty escalator is appropriate and fair, and maintaining an upward trend in alcohol duties will be beneficial to the economy, society and public health.
Shirley Cramer CBE, Chief Executive of RSPH, commented: “With price being an important factor in the amount of alcohol consumed, it is vital that the alcohol duty escalator is maintained in order to tackle the problems associated with excessive alcohol consumption and to reduce the risk associated with vulnerable groups.”
