MINISTERS came under renewed pressure yesterday to abandon plans for round-the-clock drinking after figures showed a sharp rise in alcohol-related deaths.

Deaths from liver disease, alcohol poisoning and other illnesses caused by heavy drinking have increased by 18.4 per cent over the past five years in England and Wales.

The figures, from the Office for National Statistics, showed a North-South differential: in Yorkshire and the Humber, alcohol-related deaths rose by 46.5 per cent, and in the North East the figure was 28.4 per cent; in the East of England, the rise was 12 per cent — and in London drinking-related deaths have fallen 4.2 per cent since 2000. Rates of alcoholrelated death per head of population also reflect a geographical divide. Rates are the highest in the North East and North West of England, and the lowest across the South.

Charities that are campaigning against the licensing changes said that they expected more alcohol-related health problems when the drinking laws are relaxed in November. Alcohol Concern said: “The increase in alcohol-related deaths is deeply worrying but not surprising. Alcohol consumption has been rising over the past fifty years, and currently around eight million people drink above safe levels each year.”

The charity said government claims that Britain suffers from a uniform binge-drinking problem appeared wide of the mark.

The figures were published in response to parliamentary questions from the Liberal Democrats, who are campaigning for the Government to delay the introduction of late-night drinking until binge-drinking has been brought under control. “I am worried that the proposed change to licensing laws will add to this startling increase in drink- related deaths,” Lynne Featherstone, the spokeswoman on crime and disorder for the Lib Dems, said. “The Government should pause for thought before it brings in the changes to the licensing laws.”

The Government is standing firm on its plans to introduce the extension of drinking hours from November 24. Police and residents will get new powers to tackle any pubs and clubs that cause problems.

Last week it emerged that MPs have one last chance to block the measures. Although the Licensing Act was passed in 2003, Parliament has to approve an order to put it into effect. Opposition parties plan to lodge a formal protest to the Act in a process known as “praying”, backed up with a motion carrying the signatures of both the leaders of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties, opposition MPs and Labour backbenchers. That will place huge pressure on the Government to offer concessions.

MPs say that things have changed since the legislation went through Parliament and that the Government has failed to get a grip on binge-drinking.

The police, who had supported the Act, are now divided: several prominent officers have been speaking out against the move. Last week judges warned the Government to expect a surge in violence when the drinking laws are relaxed.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: “The Licensing Act introduces more checks and balances to help the police and local authorities to crack down on premises which are selling to those who are underage or already drunk.

“Flexible opening hours will reduce the need to speed-drink. It will end the madness of people gulping two or three rounds of drinks to beat last orders,” the spokeswoman said.

Early next year the Government is to begin an advertising campaign intended to tackle binge-drinking, with television ads depicting drunkenness as unattractive.

ALCOHOL-RELATED DEATHS 2004

Yorkshire and the Humber: 627 (46.5 per cent increase on 2000)
North East: 430 (28.4 per cent increase on 2000)
West Midlands: 750 (24.2 per cent increase on 2000)
North West: 1,179 (24.1 per cent increase on 2000)
Wales: 419 (21.4 per cent increase on 2000)
London: 772 (-4,2 per cent increase on 2000)
England and Wales: 6,544 (18.4 per cent increase on 2000)

Source: Office for National Statistics

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