Read our response to the Autumn Budget, and more, in this month’s newsletter
** Welcome to our October newsletter
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This month, the Chancellor delivered his Budget and Spending Review, which saw him cancel a planned increase in alcohol duty, missing yet another important opportunity to significantly reduce the harm caused by alcohol. Read our full response below.
Alcohol Awareness Week kicks off on 15 November on the subject of ‘Alcohol and relationships’. We can’t wait to share with you what we’ve been working on, including new factsheets, insightful guest blogs, personal stories, tips, resources for support, and more. Read on to find out more about the campaign, including how to access our free downloadable campaign resources, as well as the latest alcohol news, recruitment, blogs and more.
** Autumn Budget: our response
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In his Budget speech on 27 October, the Chancellor announced another freeze in alcohol duty, ignoring the evidence that clearly shows that cutting duty increases alcohol harm. He has missed yet another important opportunity to significantly reduce the harm caused by alcohol and cover the cost of that harm. Instead, he has given a tax break to massive alcohol producers who have continued to see huge profits throughout the pandemic.
However, the announcement of the long-awaited review of alcohol duty has some more positive indications. We have been calling for an overhaul of the system to make it fairer, more consistent and geared towards promoting public health, so we welcome the measure of a simplified system of duty that taxes alcoholic drinks according to their strength. While this change won’t come into force until 2023, it represents a welcome improvement.
Read our full response ([link removed])
** It’s almost Alcohol Awareness Week!
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Only a few weeks to go until the start of this year’s Alcohol Awareness Week, on the theme of ‘Alcohol and relationships’. Throughout the week, we’ll be exploring the ways in which alcohol can affect us and our relationships with those around us, and the benefits to our physical and mental health of cutting down. We’re looking forward to sharing what we’ve been working on, including new factsheets, inspiring personal stories, tips, support, and even a brand-new video!
Want to get involved?
* Sign up to the mailing list to receive free, downloadable campaign resources ([link removed])
* Share a story ([link removed]) - if you have a perspective on the issues around alcohol and relationships, we would love to hear from you.
* Spread the word on social media ([link removed])
** Could you take on the 15-12 challenge for Alcohol Awareness Week?
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Alcohol Awareness Week starts on 15 November and runs until 21 November, so we've decided to introduce an Alcohol Awareness Week fundraising challenge: the 15-21 challenge. Could you take part to help raise awareness and vital funds to help us change and save lives?
Your chosen activity or event can involve anything you can think of around the numbers 15 and 21 - or 1 and 521, or 1,521, and so on. Some activity suggestions include:
* 1,521 press ups throughout the week
* Baking one cake and 521 biscuits during the week
* Doing a 15–21-minute livestream once a day during the week of a musical performance or playing your favourite game
If you want to take on a challenge, or want any advice or tips, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the fundraising team (mailto:
[email protected]?subject=The%2015-21%20challenge) so we can help you get started.
Set up your fundraising page ([link removed])
** Experts explore framing of alcohol harm
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A new study exploring how people understand and talk about alcohol harm, and how this affects what they think should be done to reduce it, has begun.
The project seeks to improve the way in which alcohol harm is framed in the UK – leading to more nuanced and evidence-based conversations and policy-making, which will create the conditions in which alcohol problems are less likely to develop and in which it is easier to reduce or stop drinking.
The study is funded by Alcohol Change UK and involves researchers from University College London (UCL), University of Sheffield, London South Bank University and The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), FrameWorks UK and the Race Equality Foundation. The study will take about 18 months to complete.
Read the blog ([link removed])
** We’re recruiting!
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If you're passionate about ending the serious harms caused by alcohol, have experience of working in research and public affairs and are passionate about bringing about meaningful change through research, this is the role for you. We're looking for a Director of Research and Public Affairs to join our team. The closing date is 9am Friday, 12 November 2021. Please share this role with your networks!
Find out more and apply ([link removed])
** Missed our recent events?
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If you missed our recent online annual alcohol conference - Rebuild and recover – we are pleased to announce that video presentations from the two-day event are now available to purchase from our shop! For just £30, you can access video content from the eleven presentations given by our range of expert speakers, totalling over five hours of content.
Shop now ([link removed])
** Alcohol news
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** Alcohol consumption linked to harmful gambling
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Public Health England (now the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities) published a new review of the evidence on gambling harms at the end of September, which shows that people at risk of gambling harms are concentrated in areas of higher deprivation and may already be experiencing greater health inequalities. The review noted “a clear association between gambling at all levels of harm and increased alcohol consumption" and that “this association is evident for overall gambling participation but is greater for at-risk and problem gambling”.
Read the review ([link removed])
** Study reveals hundreds of alcohol references during televised rugby matches
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A new study led by the University of Stirling, which examined broadcast coverage of last year’s Six Nations rugby competition, found that there were more than 900 alcohol references in one match alone – the equivalent of an advert every twelve seconds. Previous research has shown that children exposed to alcohol advertising are more likely to start drinking at a younger age and drink more heavily in later life.
Read more ([link removed])
** Police warn against relaxing pitch-side drinking laws
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The continued high level of incidents being reported to the police at football matches shows now is not the right time to consider letting fans drink in sight of the pitch, according to the UK’s football policing lead. Data published by the Home Office shows incidents were reported at 37 per cent of football matches played in England and Wales in the 2020/21 season where spectators were allowed. An independent review led by sports minister Tracey Crouch MP is expected to propose a pilot on serving alcohol at clubs in the National League and League Two, with a view to extending it across the professional game.
Read more ([link removed])
** New research suggests FASD “as common as autism”
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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a significant issue among the population, and likely to be as common as autism, according to new research from the University of Salford. The study, which investigated the number of primary school children affected by FASD in Greater Manchester, is thought to be the first of its kind in the UK. It found that 1.8% of children taking part had FASD, and increased to 3.6% when including children who possibly had FASD. None of these children had previously been diagnosed with a developmental condition, and therefore were not able to access additional health and educational support to help them fulfil their potential.
Read more ([link removed])
** Latest blogs
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** Jitesh’s story: "There is no shame in struggling with your drinking”
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Jitesh shares his experiences with alcohol and how his own struggles inspired him to start a community outreach project to help others.
Read the blog ([link removed])
** Six top tips for socialising without alcohol
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From 'power hours' to exit strategies, Emily Syphas shares her advice for having a great time with friends, alcohol-free.
Read the blog ([link removed])
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