The Government has published its response to the Health Select Committee inquiry on the Government’s Alcohol Strategy.
The Government's response answers the Health Select Committee's extensive inquiry which gave a mixed if not critical view of the strategy. In particular, the inquiry and other responses questioned an excessive focus on binge drinking over health issues. The response answers this in part by highlighting Department of Health guidance and resources for treatment and interventions found on the Alcohol Learning Centre.
One other key concern outlined by the Health Select Committee was that "an Alcohol Strategy should be seen as part of a wider public health strategy, and should contain some key quantified, alcohol-specific objectives... Public Health England should devise the national measures against which the strategy can be tested."
The Government's response states:
It is for the Government rather than Public Health England, to set national objectives for public health, together with the Public Health Outcomes Framework.
It is important to note that, while not framed as ‘targets’ or ‘quantified objectives’, the ambitions set out at the start of the strategy are challenging, and cover all the main domains of harm. Achieving them would mean reversing the long term rise in alcohol-related harms of all types. They provide clear objectives and a framework to allow success to be judged at national level.
The Government agrees that Local Authorities should consider the need for a local alcohol strategy. Public Health England will have a vital role in advising local areas on their own strategies.
Health groups support for the strategy was clear however on the decision to introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol. The Government will consult on the level of minimum unit price and on other proposals set out in the Strategy during the autumn.
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