This stark evidence shows a concerning increase in harmful alcohol dependency across the country since the pandemic.
Commenting on a report by the Public Accounts Committee that found that 82 per cent of people with alcohol dependency are not receiving treatment, Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board said:
“This stark evidence shows a concerning increase in harmful alcohol dependency across the country since the pandemic, placing additional pressure on vital local council-commissioned alcohol treatment services.
“It is good that this report acknowledges that every £1 spent on alcohol treatment services provides a return of £3, with local addiction support services saving our overstretched health and social care system a staggering £2 billion every year.
“However, councils have seen £1 billion worth of cuts to their local public health grant over the last eight years, which goes to fund alcohol treatment services.
“To meet these increased pressures and transform the health chances of people in our local communities, councils need a long term increase in their public health grant.”