Lockdown drinking increase could cause 25,000 excess deaths in England

Alcohol-related mortality rates over 20 years set to rise due to people increasing consumption during Covid

Up to 25,000 more people than usual could die over the next 20 years in England as a result of heavy drinking habits that began during the Covid lockdowns, two studies have found. They could also result in almost 1m more hospital admissions and cost the NHS more than 5bn.

The NHS-funded findings prompted fresh calls from health experts for more determined government action to reduce alcohol-related harm by tackling its price, availability and promotion.