Speaking about the ONS report on alcohol-specific deaths, Matt Lambert, CEO of the Portman Group, the social responsibility and regulatory body for alcohol in the UK commented:
“The ONS figures are tragic and highlight the devastating impact the past year has had on those drinking at the most harmful rates. The reasons for this are complex and likely exacerbated by pandemic restrictions which may have cut off social and professional support or deterred people from seeking help in the first instance. We call for increased targeted support for those struggling with their relationship with alcohol to ensure that the effects of this year are not compounded in the future.”
Response to Cardiff University study on the price of food influencing alcohol sales
Matt Lambert, CEO of the Portman Group, the social responsibility and regulatory body for alcohol in the UK, commented:
“This study shows us what we already know, that UK consumers are price-conscious, and spend to a budget when buying their shopping. This should not be used by the authors as a basis to advocate extreme measures which punish the moderate majority of UK drinkers, especially less well-off consumers, at a time when the UK overall is drinking less and many alcohol harms are falling. We believe that targeted measures which help those who drink to harmful levels are a more effective solution.”
Response to the Department of Health’s proposed plans to change alcohol labelling laws
Matt Lambert, CEO of the Portman Group, the social responsibility and regulatory body for alcohol in the UK, commented:
“The alcohol industry is committed to giving consumers detailed information to help them make well-informed decisions about drinking. We welcome this consultation and its aims. However, we are very concerned about plans for a new set of mandatory regulations. The industry, particularly small businesses, has been hit very hard by COVID-19. It can ill afford the further financial burden of costly mandatory labelling changes.
“We are committed to working in partnership with the Government. Over the past two decades there has been a significant decline in binge-drinking, alcohol-related violence, drink-driving and underage drinking. We have shown time and time again that the voluntary approach works. It will deliver the result we all want to see, faster, more effectively and without extra costs to a sector is already struggling due to the necessary closure of hospitality.”
Brits return to the pub – but it’s for pals not pints
The Portman Group, the social responsibility and regulatory body for alcohol in the UK, has revealed in new research published today that more than two-thirds (68%) of Brits who are planning on visiting pubs when they reopen, say the reason they are most looking forward to the reopening of pubs is to reunite with friends and family, rather than purchasing food and drink they cannot get at home – such as a nice cold pint.
The second most cited reason for returning to the pub is to regain a sense of normality (57%).
Many of us are planning a cautious return to the pubs as hospitality gradually opens across the UK, including from 12 April in England. While 50% of former UK pubgoers said they intended to visit the pub with the same frequency as before, almost one in four (22%) said they would be visiting less. Only 14% of former UK pubgoers said they planned to visit the pub more often once restrictions were lifted. Almost three in four (71%) of UK drinkers intend to drink the same when pubs reopen with 15% saying they plan to drink less than they did before the pandemic. This punctures any suggestion of an increase in binge drinking in what many have referred to as a second ‘roaring Twenties’.
Throughout the lockdowns, a narrative has persisted that Brits turned to the bottle, with a majority (69%) of UK adults incorrectly believing that the UK population has increased its alcohol consumption over the last year, and only 6% believing we drank less. However, this research shows that the majority (78%) either do not drink, or drink within the Chief Medical Officer lower-risk drinking guidelines (i.e. up to 14 units), and that around three-quarters (73%) of UK drinkers say they are drinking the same or less compared to before the pandemic. In fact, close to one in three (32%) said they have reduced their drinking over the course of the pandemic. These findings align with much of the research completed during the pandemic which shows that most UK adults have continued to drink moderately and responsibly.
Speaking about the research, Portman Group CEO, Matt Lambert, commented: “The reopening of hospitality is an important step towards normality. The alcohol industry is proud to play an important role in this, and we look forward to seeing loved ones reconnect over a drink while supporting their local. As people look forward to getting together with friends and family, we are confident they will continue to drink responsibly. Our research shows the moderate majority have done so throughout the pandemic.
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2303 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 31st March – 1st April 2021. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
Response to the Department of Transport’s provisional estimates for drink-driving in 2019
Matt Lambert, CEO of the Portman Group, the social responsibility and regulatory body for alcohol in the UK, commented:
“It is encouraging to see that the provisional figures which show that both drink-drive accidents and casualties have fallen to record lows. This highlights the important progress achieved over recent decades where accidents have fallen by over half (54%) since 2000.”
“However, every death or injury which comes as a result of drink-driving is a tragedy, and is something the industry takes very seriously. The sector has stepped up to do their part by supporting educational programmes and designated driver campaigns, as well as creating low and no alcohol alternatives to help drivers stay safely within the law”.
1: Department of Transport, February 2021
Response to the PACTS report calling for Government action on drink driving
Speaking about the PACTS report, Matt Lambert, CEO of the Portman Group, the social responsibility and regulatory body for alcohol in the UK, commented:
“Drink driving is completely unacceptable under any and all circumstances. Every death and injury that occurs as a result of drink driving is a senseless tragedy. The industry is committed to tackling this issue and we welcome the publication of the PACTS report.
“There has been significant progress over the last decade, with drink driving accidents in the UK falling by 32% between 2008 and 2018, and fatalities falling by 40%. This is partially the result of the responsible measures undertaken by the alcohol sector, running their own education campaigns and funding those led by Drinkaware, yet we are incredibly conscious that there is more to be done.”
Source: UK Department of Transport: Reported Drinking and Driving, Augsut 2020