Alcohol-specific deaths hit record high, ONS figures confirm

Scotland's alcohol-specific death rate remains the highest in the UK, new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show.

However, the increase in alcohol-specific deaths in England since the pandemic has been steeper than that in Scotland, meaning the gap is narrowing.

At 10,473 cases, the total number of deaths from alcohol-specific causes in the UK is the highest on record.

The figures relate to 2023 and follow on from the publication of Scotland-only statistics by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) late last year.

At the time, public health minister Jenni Minto said the Scottish Government is "determined to do all it can to reduce alcohol-related harm and to treat the matter as a public health emergency.

A total of 1,277 alcohol-specific deaths were recorded in Scotland for 2023, a rise of one case from the year before.

For England the number, first published in December, was 8,274.

While Scotland's rate is 22.6 per 100,000 people - the highest of the UK nations - England's is the lowest at 15 per 100,000 people.

Alcohol Focus Scotland said the "protective effect" of minimum unit pricing in Scotland may have been the reason for the narrowing of the gap between the nations.

Its deputy chief executive Laura Mahon said that "Scotland and the rest of the UK is firmly in the grip of an alcohol health emergency".

She said: "The Scottish and UK governments have the power to legislate to shield the public, especially children, young people and other vulnerable groups from corporate influence by restricting advertising; empower people to make informed decisions on their health by forcing the industry to provide us with clear health information on alcohol products; and challenge the central position of alcohol in our lives by reducing it’s availability.

"For those experiencing the most serious alcohol problems, we need to see greater and faster access to the treatment and support they need."