Alcohol-related deaths in UK hit record high of 10,473, ONS data shows

Health experts urge ministers to do more to tackle drinking-related harm by bringing in minimum unit pricing

Alcohol-related deaths in the UK have hit a record high, with 10,473 people dying in 2023 as a result of heavy drinking, statistics have revealed.

That is an increase on the 10,048 deaths the Office for National Statistics recorded across the four countries of the UK during 2022, the first time more than 10,000 such fatalities had occurred.