Nicola Bates, Strategy Director at the Portman Group – the alcohol social responsibility body and marketing regulator said:
“Total alcohol consumption has gone down consistently over the past 10 years, and Britons now drink around 15% less alcohol than they did 10 years ago. During the lockdowns the vast majority of people continued to drink moderately and this research shows some lighter drinkers cut their consumption.
“However there is a small minority who were already drinking at high harm levels when the lockdowns began and evidence suggests some went on to drink more. The models presented in this research are stark but they presume no interventions are made. This small minority of drinkers are the ones who need the most support with targeted action and a focused policy response.”