ACS

UK alcohol consumption fell by just over three per cent in 2008, according to new figures compiled by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA). Evidence of this sharp fall has resulted from a BBPA analysis of data from HM Revenue & Customs for 2008.

According to the Government's own calculation of alcohol harm, this fall has resulted in a saving to the economy of £804 million, this year alone. This means there can be no justification for further, punitive alcohol tax increases and red tape that will put many more pubs out of business, says the BBPA.

The latest fall confirms the pattern of a downward trend in alcohol consumption since 2004.
Other key indicators of overall UK alcohol consumption are:

. Alcohol consumption was six per cent lower in 2008 than in 2004 - 8.9 litres per head against 9.5 litres per head
. Consumption has fallen by 4.6 per cent since the introduction of the Licensing Act in 2005, resulting in a saving to the economy of £2.3 billion over the last three years.
. The current reduced level of consumption in 2008 could save the economy £8.0 billion over ten years, according to the Government's own figures - even without any further decreases in consumption.
. Of 20 countries where comparable data is available, the UK ranks only 14th in alcohol consumption per head - well behind consumption levels in France and Germany.