The Liberal Democrats have highlighted the problem of shops selling alcohol to underage people in response to new figures showing that alcohol-related hospital admissions doubled in the past decade.

Almost one in four pubs and off licenses sells alcohol to underage children according to Liberal Democrat research.

Commenting on figures from the Information Centre for Health and Social Care issued on 26 June, Nick Harvey MP said:

‘Ministers have been repeatedly warned about the dangerous side-effects of heavy drinking, but the Government has allowed public health budgets to be raided to cover deficits elsewhere.

‘A fresh look at tackling the growing problem of excessive drinking is long overdue. A good start would be cracking down on those shops that sell alcohol to underage children.

‘Problem drinking often starts at a young age, so it essential we make it harder for underage teenagers to get hold of alcohol. As well as causing chaos in A&Es on Friday nights and anti-social behaviour, irresponsible drinking results in serious long-term health problems.’