New alcohol strategy plans include further minimum pricing review

A recent surprise announcement that the Government are developing a new alcohol strategy has been made by The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, part of which includes commissioning Public Health England to undertake a further review of the evidence for minimum unit pricing (MUP) in England.

Currently England has no over-arching national strategy, though the 2016 'Modern Crime Prevention Strategy' sets out alcohol-related crime objectives whilst certain health and treatment objectives include a national CQUIN and Public Health England (PHE) guidance and support.

A recent surprise announcement that the Government are developing a new alcohol strategy has been made by The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, part of which includes commissioning Public Health England to undertake a further review of the evidence for minimum unit pricing (MUP) in England.

Currently England has no over-arching national strategy, though the 2016 'Modern Crime Prevention Strategy' sets out alcohol-related crime objectives whilst certain health and treatment objectives include a national CQUIN and Public Health England (PHE) guidance and support.

Many health and alcohol groups however have been critical of a lack of national strategy and a general Government policy approach seen to shy away from the policy levers thought to be most effective. In 2013 a 'Health First' alcohol strategy was proposed by a coalition of health bodies whilst in 2015 England was ranked lowest out of the four UK nations in a report assessing the extent of evidence based policy making. 

Scotland's recent MUP implementation, following years of industry-led legal challenges, has appeared to have prompted the new strategy announcement, though valid questions may exist over whether any further meaningful evidence can be determined so soon after its introduction. Indeed in late 2016 PHE conducted an extensive alcohol evidence review finding strong evidence to support pricing measures, though since the infamous 2013 MUP u-turn the Westminster government has remained on the fence. Scotland though does have an extensive evaluation programme set out for MUP and a five year 'sunset clause' to review its effectiveness as national policy. 

A short history of national alcohol strategies for England

In 2004 the first national strategy for England set out a framework for prevention, treatment, crime, and other key areas. Largely viewed as lacking any specific commitments but perhaps good for getting the ball rolling, it was also accompanied by the still much cited but arguably well outdated £21 billion estimated annual cost to society from alcohol harms.

Next came the expansive 'Safe. Sociable. Sensible' strategy and local toolkit in 2007 in the wake of the 2013 Licensing Act and at a time of growing recognition and investment in local alcohol initiatives by pre-austerity local authorities and government departments.

Five years later came the Tory-Lib Dem coalition's 2012 attempt, hitting the headlines for its surprise announcement of MUP. The shock plans were however soon controversially shelved after a consultation originally appearing to be focused on what level MUP should be set at was soon after framed as one on whether MUP should in fact be introduced at all. The u-turn resulted in accusations in the BMJ that the consultation was a 'sham' whilst Tory MP Sarah Wollaston levelled that the Government had given in to industry lobbying. It was claimed MUP however had not been ruled out by the Home Secretary of the time Theresa May, with ministers stating the Government was still listening to "powerful arguments on both sides" .

Four years later and a new 'Modern Crime Prevention Strategy' appeared to confirm there would be no single national alcohol strategy covering all the debated '£21 billion' contributing areas. The crime strategy set out alcohol specific aims of improving intelligence, partnerships and equipping police with the right powers, also committing to publish information about where alcohol-related crime and disorder is occurring on police.uk - but which has yet to materialise.  As for MUP, until now it has remained 'under review', as confirmed in a Commons MUP briefing released last year.

Questions for the new strategy?

The news of a new alcohol strategy will be likely to have raised various hopes and expectations amongst the alcohol field, not only in relation to MUP but many other areas where it is felt significant attention is still needed. One such key issue may be that of alcohol treatment, recently highlighted by a new report from Alcohol Concern / Alcohol Research UK, detailing the 'crisis' facing alcohol services. Alcohol Concern argue cuts to treatment services are a false economy whilst PHE estimates that every £1 invested in alcohol treatment brings £3 in social return, setting out 14 recommendations for action.

For others, key issues still in need of firmer government action include labelling, an area of ongoing contention dating back well before the expired responsibility deal. Others such as the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) have also been regularly campaigning for taxation levers to be better utilised as another important pricing policy, though recent budget announcements have not favoured public health calls. Further attention to a wide range of other issues, from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) to rising harms and drinking amongst older adults, will also be hoped for in the new strategy. Watch this space.

See here for Alcohol Concern/Alcohol Research UK response to the announcement and coverage in the Independent.

Five years later came the Tory-Lib Dem coalition's 2012 attempt, hitting the headlines for its surprise announcement of MUP. The shock plans were however soon controversially shelved after a consultation originally appearing to be focused on what level MUP should be set at was soon after framed as one on whether MUP should in fact be introduced at all. The u-turn resulted in accusations in the BMJ that the consultation was a 'sham' whilst Tory MP Sarah Wollaston levelled that the Government had given in to industry lobbying. It was claimed MUP however had not been ruled out by the Home Secretary of the time Theresa May, with ministers stating the Government was still listening to "powerful arguments on both sides" .

Four years later and a new 'Modern Crime Prevention Strategy' appeared to confirm there would be no single national alcohol strategy covering all the debated '£21 billion' contributing areas. The crime strategy set out alcohol specific aims of improving intelligence, partnerships and equipping police with the right powers, also committing to publish information about where alcohol-related crime and disorder is occurring on police.uk - but which has yet to materialise.  As for MUP, until now it has remained 'under review', as confirmed in a Commons MUP briefing released last year.

Questions for the new strategy?

The news of a new alcohol strategy will be likely to have raised various hopes and expectations amongst the alcohol field, not only in relation to MUP but many other areas where it is felt significant attention is still needed. One such key issue may be that of alcohol treatment, recently highlighted by a new report from Alcohol Concern / Alcohol Research UK, detailing the 'crisis' facing alcohol services. Alcohol Concern argue cuts to treatment services are a false economy whilst PHE estimates that every £1 invested in alcohol treatment brings £3 in social return, setting out 14 recommendations for action.

For others, key issues still in need of firmer government action include labelling, an area of ongoing contention dating back well before the expired responsibility deal. Others such as the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) have also been regularly campaigning for taxation levers to be better utilised as another important pricing policy, though recent budget announcements have not favoured public health calls. Further attention to a wide range of other issues, from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) to rising harms and drinking amongst older adults, will also be hoped for in the new strategy. Watch this space.

See here for Alcohol Concern/Alcohol Research UK response to the announcement and coverage in the Independent.