Government slammed over boozing Britain

Higher alcohol taxes and limits on when booze can be bought are necessary to curb excessive drinking in the UK, according to a new report.

A report by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics criticises the Government's strategy of using publicity campaigns and voluntary labelling schemes, saying they are ineffective.

It calls for an urgent study into the impact of 24-hour licensing on alcohol consumption after the annual number of alcohol-related deaths doubled to over 8,000 in 2005 from just over 4,000 in 1991.

Lord Krebs, who chaired the Nuffield Council committee which produced the report, said: "The Government should implement tougher measures to tackle excessive drinking.

"There is also an urgent need for an analysis of the effect of extended opening hours on levels of alcohol consumption, as well as on anti-social behaviour."

Excessive drinking among young people is a particular cause of concern, the Nuffield Council report says.

Meanwhile, a coalition of 21 organisations headed by the Royal College of Physicians prepare to form a new Alcohol Health Alliance.

That Alliance is set to lobby for a 10 per cent hike in alcohol taxes plus tighter regulation of the drinks industry.

A conference organised by the Royal College of Physicians will be held later on the theme of "reducing the harm caused by alcohol".

The Nuffield Council report also names obesity, smoking, infectious disease and fluoridation of water as areas where more needs to be done to improve public health.

It also calls on food manufacturers to use front-of-pack labels which will encourage shoppers to make healthier choices.

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