Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to tackle the increase in alcohol consumption during the covid-19 outbreak.

In England, the Department continues to promote the United Kingdom Chief Medical Officers’ recommendations of not regularly exceeding 14 units a week through online platforms, local authorities’ public health duties and encouraging alcoholic drink producers to reflect the guidelines on labelling. The Department is also working with industry to create more consumer choice and availability in the low and no alcohol sector to moderate drinking habits within the guidelines.

The Better Health and One You adult health campaigns have provided information and advice to help adults consume less alcohol during the pandemic. Better Health continues to offer tips and online tools to help people drink less including the Drinks Tracker app, ‘How Are You’ health quiz, Better Health website and email programme. We also provide the Drinkline service and webchat.