A major study by National Economic Research Associates(NERA) on behalf of the Greater London Authority estimated that 1.68 million working days are lost in London every year due to alcohol. This is almost 10 per cent of the total working days lost due to sickness in London and costs the London economy 294 million.
The multi-billion pound alcohol industry plays an important role in many people’s enjoyment of London life and the capital’s status as one of the world’s major tourist destinations. Every year around 4.6 billion is spent on alcohol in London and the Government receives around 1.6 billion in taxes and excise duty from alcohol sales in the capital.
Mayor Ken Livingstone recognises the role that alcohol plays socially and economically in the capital, but wants to reduce the negative effects it can have. These range from hangovers to more serious problems including poor health, financial problems, relationship breakdown, child neglect, injuries and premature death. Alcohol use can also result in anti-social behaviour.
The Mayor has published The London Agenda for Action on Alcohol, in association with the Greater London Alcohol and Drugs Alliance. It is the first London-wide framework aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm in the capital and improving the health and quality of life of Londoners.
The Mayor said: ’Every Londoner is affected by alcohol use in the capital, whether they drink or not. This is the first comprehensive approach aimed at minimising the problems caused by alcohol in the capital and is intended to contribute to the Government’s forthcoming National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy.
’I want the Greater London Authority to continue to play a major leadership role and work with other organisations to address problems associated with alcohol use in the capital. I am confident that the London Agenda for Action on Alcohol will help ensure that London will lead the way in reducing alcohol-related harm.’
Priorities for action in the capital have been identified in association with the Greater London Alcohol and Drugs Alliance and through a wide-ranging consultation exercise reflecting the needs and priorities of Londoners. There are six primary objectives:
To reduce alcohol-related crime, disorder and nuisance on the streets of the capital
To reduce economic loss due to alcohol
To reduce the harmful effects of alcohol on children and families
To reduce alcohol-related accidents and injuries
To support the development of accessible and effective treatment, help and support services for people with alcohol problems and their families
To increase knowledge and understanding of alcohol use and alcohol related harm, prioritising information about the impact of alcohol on equality in London
The London Agenda for Action on Alcohol includes information from a wide range of sources brought together for the first time as part of the consultation process for this report. It features comprehensive data about alcohol use and alcohol-related harm, as well as an analysis of the costs and benefits of alcohol to London.
KEY DATA
Around 4.6 billion is spent on alcohol in London each year and the Government receives around 1.6 billion in taxes and excise duty from alcohol sales in the capital.
There are around 9,000 pubs and clubs in the capital and over 6,000 licensed premises.
An estimated 1.68 million working days are lost in London due to alcohol, almost 10 per cent of the total working days lost due to sickness in London, at a total cost to the London economy of 294 million per annum.
Almost a quarter of a million people (232,000) in London are drinking at harmful levels ñ three times the number who are problem users of illegal drugs.
One in ten of men and women in England who report drinking heavily live in London.
London residents account for one in six of all deaths in England directly attributed to alcohol and one in eight of all alcohol-related hospital admissions.
Every seven minutes there is an alcohol-related violent incident in the capital, an estimated 75,000 alcohol-related violent incidents each year.
Amongst Londoners who drink above two units of alcohol on at least one day a week, one in three have experienced complete memory loss and one in twenty have got into a fight.
Over half of all admissions to Accident and Emergency at peak times are alcohol-related and more than 4000 call outs a year to the London Ambulance Service for accidents and injuries are due to alcohol.
50 per cent of men who physically assault their partners do so under the influence of alcohol.
Every day, two people in London die because of alcohol.
Mayor seeks to reduce problems caused by alcohol in the capital
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