Institute of Alcohol Studies

Having an ‘economic growth objective’ would be in total contradiction to the purpose of alcohol licensing, which is about public protection.

Listen to our podcast on the huge issues with the proposed reforms here: https://www.ias.org.uk/podcast/government-licensing-reform-sparks-concerns-over-public-health-and-local-accountability/ 🎙️ @NiamhCreate @jamescnicholls

Alcohol duty will rise with inflation in Feb 2026 – a welcome step after years of freezes.

But even after this increase, duty will still be far lower in real terms than in 2012, leaving alcohol increasingly affordable and harmful.

📊 Our Budget Analysis:

Naivety in the Department for Business and Trade explains many of the issues with the proposed licensing reforms.

🎙️Find out more in our latest podcast, with @NiamhCreate & @jamescnicholls 🎙️

Links: https://www.ias.org.uk/podcast/government-licensing-reform-sparks-concerns-over-public-health-and-local-accountability/ @ismh_uos @StirUni @biztradegovuk

Since minimum unit pricing was introduced in Scotland in 2018, the alcohol death rate has risen massively more in England.

While England’s death rate is 29% higher than it was in 2018, Scotland’s is essentially the same.