Binge drinking in UK leads to hospital admissions soar by 16%

London, Nov 30 (UNI) The number of alcohol-related admissions to hospitals has soared in Britain since 24-hour drinking laws started operating, figures have indicated.

A rise of more than 16 per cent was noted during the year when licensing hours were extended pointing that binge drinking was encouraged by the licence changes.

Drink-related hospital admissions have gone up by more than 50 per cent in four years.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown had earlier said the government would not hesitate to curb alcohol sales if evidence show the new laws led to excessive drinking and criminal behaviour.

Serious assaults and murders near pubs and clubs rose by 130 per cent in the year after the new alcohol rules came into force, Home Office figures have revealed.

Even before new laws were introduced, research showed that 1.2million violent incidents each year were related to alcohol and 40 per cent of hospital emergency cases involved people who had been drinking.

The licensing reforms allow pubs, bars and clubs to stay open 24X7 and shops to sell alcohol throughout the day and night.

Liberal Democrats who obtained the figures said alcohol restriction laws were not being enforced and increasing numbers of children were able to buy drink.

London Assembly health spokesman Geoff Pope said alcohol abuse was putting pressure on hospital services.

Children consuming liquor were suffering the health consequences now and in later life.

UNI