Tories urge action to curb alcohol abuse
The Conservatives have demanded action to curb alcohol abuse, following a survey suggesting Britons are buying more alcoholic drinks year on year.
The annual expenditure and food survey found households spent nearly ten per cent more on booze last year than the year before.
Andrew Lansley, Tory health spokesman, described the figures as “really disturbing”.
The government’s “nanny state” approach had failed and people have rebelled against it, he said.
“Unfortunately we are a society that is using alcohol a lot more, but people need to do it moderately and sensibly. People must know the risks and consequences of excessive alcohol and poor diet. We need action now.”
Basing analysis on food purchases from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ expenditure and food survey, the snapshot report found Brits buying more alcohol, soft drinks, milk, processed cheese and yoghurt while fruit and vegetables, butter, sugar, white fish, tea and bread were consumed in less quantities.
The report found a 12 per cent drop in eating out at Indian, Chinese and Thai restaurants, with alcohol bought while eating out down 5.5 per cent over the same period.
The average amount of alcohol consumed per person over 13 years old was 0.97 litres a week, the survey found.
In 2003/04, the average Brit spent 1.80 pounds per week on vegetables and 1.60 pounds on fruit, with 22.67 pounds spent on food and drink per person per week. Two pounds 65 pence was spent on alcoholic drinks.
Over one million children under 16 are classified as obese.
The survey is based on diaries of 17,000 people from 7,000 households over a typical fortnight.
