Overview
- The IPPR report, drawing on a Public First survey of 2,083 working-age adults, reports 32% called in sick after work-related drinking, including 41% of 18–24-year-olds and 47% of 25–34-year-olds.
- Productivity indicators include 22% working while hungover and 29% noticing colleagues tired or sluggish, with heavy drinkers three times more likely to show presenteeism.
- Policy proposals include restoring the alcohol duty escalator, standardising duty by alcohol strength and introducing minimum unit pricing in England, alongside employer moves to provide alcohol-free options and guidance.
- Ministers did not endorse those measures, pointing instead to a 10-year health plan, upcoming mandatory labelling with health warnings for alcoholic drinks and £310m for treatment services, while saying measures remain under review.
- Hospitality bodies, including the British Beer & Pub Association, oppose higher duties as a threat to pubs and jobs, and the debate has sharpened ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Autumn Budget.