Shocking figures have been revealed by the Liberal Democrats showing that a child under 10 is admitted to A&E because of alcohol every 72 hours.  The party highlighted the figures ahead of the launch of their strategy to tackle underage and binge drinking, which will be published tomorrow.

The information, contained in a Parliamentary answer, also showed that in the last five years:

· 24,000 admissions of children under 16 for alcohol-related reasons, a 17% increase over the last five years
· 13,000 admissions of young people aged 16-17 to A&E for alcohol-related reasons, a 95% increase over the last five years
· 640,000 admissions of over-18s to A&E for alcohol-related reasons, an 80% increase over the last five years

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, Don Foster said:

“The Government has talked a lot about the growing alcohol problem, but completely failed to tackle it.

“Britain is in danger of sinking into an epidemic of alcohol-related illness. We cannot continue to ignore the seriousness of the health crisis facing this country.

“For so many children of such a young age to be hospitalised is scandalous.

“Ministers must conduct an urgent review of the systems in place which are meant to be ensuring that young children cannot have access to such harmful substances.

“Only a complete change to our drinking culture will prevent a whole generation of young people from being condemned to serious alcohol-related illnesses.”