Record numbers of people are dying from alcohol-specific causes in Devon, with the numbers doubling in the largest towns and cities since the pandemic. There were 164 alcohol-specific deaths across Devon in 2022, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics.

That’s up from 113 deaths in 2019 meaning numbers are up by almost half. There are deep divides within the county though, with some councils seeing alcohol kill people at 10 times the rate than in neighbouring areas.

There were 32 alcohol-specific deaths in Torbay in 2022, up from 23 in 2019. That works out as 22.9 deaths for every 100,000 people.

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Only 12 other local authorities in the whole of England and Wales had higher rates of alcohol deaths. In South Hams, however, there were just two alcohol-specific deaths in 2022. That works out as 2.2 per 100,000 people, which is the lowest in the county.

Plymouth has seen Devon’s largest rise in alcohol deaths since the pandemic. There were 44 deaths from alcohol in the city in 2022, up from 19 in 2019.

That’s an increase of 132%, and works out as 16.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, which is Devon’s second highest rate. Exeter, meanwhile, has seen the number of alcohol deaths double from 10 in 2019 to 20 in 2022. That works out as 14.8 deaths per 100,000, the third highest in the region.

You can see how your local area compares by using our interactive map below:

There were 10,048 alcohol-specific deaths in the UK in 2022, up from just over 7,500 deaths in 2019. The shocking increase has further widened a North-South divide which sees alcohol killing people in Scotland and the North East of England at twice the rate of those living in London and the South East.

There were 1,276 alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland in 2022, which works out as 22.6 for every 100,000 people living there.

The North East of England had 576 deaths, equivalent to 21.5 for every 100,000 people. By contrast, London had 837 alcohol-specific deaths, which works out as 9.4 for every 100,000 people.

That’s the lowest rate of any region in the UK. The East of England had 687 alcohol-specific deaths, equivalent to 10.7 per 100,000, while the South East had 1,065 deaths (11.4 per 100,000) and the South West had 736 (12.8 per 100,000).

The North West had 1,334 alcohol deaths in 2022 (a rate of 17.7), Yorkshire and The Humber had 926 (a rate of 16.7), West Midlands had 989 (a rate of 16.4), and the East Midlands had 762 (a rate of 15.4). Lancaster has the highest rate of any local authority in England and Wales.

There were a total of 43 alcohol-specific deaths in Lancaster in 2022. That works out as 29.8 per 100,000 people in the area.

South Tyneside had 44 alcohol-specific deaths, which works out as 29.6 per 100,000 people. Chorley had the next highest rate at 27.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, followed by Derby (24.3), Blackpool (24.0), Sefton (23.8), Sunderland (23.8), and Darlington (23.8).

Alcohol-specific deaths only include those health conditions where each death is a direct consequence of alcohol, such as alcoholic liver disease. It does not include all deaths that can be attributed to alcohol.

A spokesperson from the Department of Health said: “We are working to prevent alcohol deaths by ensuring people are given clear and accurate advice about the potential risks that are posed by drinking above the guidelines, including encouraging people to try more low and no-alcohol drinks. In addition, through our 10-year alcohol and drug strategy, supported by £532 million, we are helping up to 54,500 more people receive drug and alcohol treatment, and we are also funding specialist alcohol care teams at one in four hospitals in England.”

Dr Richard Piper, Chief Executive of Alcohol Change UK, said: “There were 10,048 deaths from alcohol in 2022 in the UK – an all-time high, up 4.2% on the previous year, and 32.8% higher than when compared to 2019. Each one of those deaths is a tragedy, representing a person who has had their life cut short and has left behind people who are grieving and miss them every day.

"We send our deepest sympathies to all those families and friends who have lost a loved one. Years of inaction on alcohol harm has led to this, and the heartbreaking thing is these deaths were totally avoidable.

"Our government has the responsibility and the power to put preventative measures in place, including proper regulation of alcohol marketing, clearer alcohol labelling, and a minimum price for a unit of alcohol. As part of a clear, long-term strategy to improve our health, these measures can prevent alcohol harm, protecting individuals, family members, communities and society – and crucially save lives in the future.”

Lancaster MP Cat Smith said: “Alcohol harm affects individuals, families and our communities. We have seen years of inaction on addressing these harms and these statistics are sadly a consequence of that.

"It shocks me how openly alcohol can be advertised, how difficult alcohol promotion can be to avoid in our supermarkets and I would like to see minimum unit pricing in place. Alcohol addiction is a disease which affects many families and more support for groups that help people beat addiction is needed.

“Unlike many other addictions, addiction to alcohol can be particularly difficult to live with when our culture is so entwined with drink. We could all do well to consider how we behave, talk and use language to help those living with addiction avoid alcohol. As for politicians, we need to fund services properly which support those who need to beat it.”

As the government pledged £16m funding to pave the path to a devolution deal for Torbay and Devon, Plymouth City Council announced its withdrawal from negotiations.

The government is "committed" to ongoing talks for a deal to transfer powers and funding from Whitehall to local government, Torbay Council said.

This includes investment in training and jobs.

Plymouth's council leader branded the deal "unreasonable and unrealistic".

Councillor Tudor Evans said to continue on with the process would have meant "less power and control" over transport in the city, no commitment to increased funding - and a "backward step" for the area.

Although he supported the principle of devolution, there was "no choice but to withdraw", he added because of government insistence they "surrender our powers and funding regarding transport".

Wishing luck to Devon and Torbay leaders, Mr Evans added: "It is massively disappointing given all the work that has taken place and we hope the government will realise the final deal it offered was unreasonable and unrealistic and that it will reconsider in the future."

Levelling Up Minister Jacob Young said the government was "committed" to continuing negotiations to conclude a deal with Devon and Torbay Councils.

In a letter to leaders in Devon and Torbay, Mr Young offered £16m of "new capital funding" for the green economy including environmental science and technologies.

With a focus on new "green jobs, homes, skills, and business growth", the funding would also be aimed at attracting private sector investment, he said.

A wider package of "devolved powers and funding" were in "advanced negotiations".

Meanwhile, councils were seeking "greater local control" and resources for affordable housing and improved public transport, Torbay Council said.

'Real momentum'

The devolution model would create a Combined County Authority (CCA) for the area, as opposed to a mayor for Devon, it added.

John Hart, leader of Devon County Council, said coming close to finalising a deal was "hugely significant", giving Devon and Torbay a "stronger voice" in Whitehall.

Councillor David Thomas, Leader of Torbay Council said the funding announcement showed "real momentum" for the devolution deal.

Both leaders said they respected Plymouth City Council's decision and would work with them, while Councillor Evans said Plymouth was also committed to co-operation.

Subject to an agreement in principle on the deal, a public consultation would be launched on the setting up of a proposed CCA, with a final decision coming before the respective councils in March 2024.

Devon County Council’s Cabinet has given the go ahead to improve links to a new employment development at Langage, a key part of the Plymouth and South Devon (PASD) Freeport.

Councillors today (Wednesday 10 April) approved the delivery of a two-phase spine road, which extends the existing Kingsway road, and a multi-use bridge across the A38 Deep Lane Junction, which will connect the new community of Sherford to the growing development.

PASD Freeport is one of twelve designated by Government and is a partnership between, Plymouth City Council, South Hams District Council, Devon County Council, and the private sector.

It aims to create over 3,500 jobs, predominantly across key engineering and manufacturing sectors, and will play a crucial role in Devon’s economic recovery and growth.

Currently, the Kingsway road stops just south of the Langage Power Station on the eastern side of the Langage Business Park.

Phase one will focus on extending the road so that it serves the Langage tax site. The ambition is for work to begin in November this year for completion the following spring.

The road will be delivered in such a way that it will allow developers to deliver access points to the site in the future as individual plots receive planning permission and become available.

Phase two will be a continuation of the first phase with a planning application expected to be submitted in September 2024. The delivery of this section of the spine road will align with the future delivery of the employment development, expected to be in 2027.

Work on the multi-use bridge is expected to start in December of this year.

The delivery of this infrastructure, as well as improvements to the Sandy Road/Holland Road roundabout, is funded by £9.619 million by the UK Government as part of the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport seed capital programme, and up to £14.289 million of borrowing by DCC, which was approved at Full Council in February this year.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said:

“I welcome the proposed infrastructure to support the Freeport, which will bring new jobs to the area. The new bridge across the A38 is much needed to support active travel at an early stage in the expansion of homes and jobs on Plymouth’s urban fringe. Early delivery of a walking and cycling connection between Sherford and Langage Business Park, including the Freeport, will provide a healthy, safe alternative choice for short distance journeys. We’ve worked closely with stakeholders on the design of the bridge and have listened to feedback. This has resulted in amended plans to make crossing facilities more convenient and safer for people living and working in the area.”

Councillor Andrea Davis, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said:

“The Freeport’s vision is to create thousands of high-quality jobs while acting as an exemplar to achieve net zero ahead of 2050. This new bridge supports that vision through the decarbonisation of transport by improving active travel options for short to medium distance journeys in the local area.”

The schemes for the spine road and bridge will now go out to tender subject to the resolution of legal and land assembly agreements and planning consents.

Devon County Council's cabinet has given the go ahead to improve links to a new employment development at Langage, a key part of the Plymouth and South Devon (PASD) Freeport.

Councillors have approved the delivery of a two-phase spine road, which extends the existing Kingsway road, and a multi-use bridge across the A38 Deep Lane Junction, which will connect the new community of Sherford to the growing development.

PASD Freeport is one of 12 designated by government and is a partnership between Plymouth City Council, South Hams District Council, Devon County Council, and the private sector. It aims to create more than 3,500 jobs, predominantly across key engineering and manufacturing sectors.

Currently, the Kingsway road stops just south of the Langage Power Station on the eastern side of the Langage Business Park. Phase one will focus on extending the road so it serves the Langage customs and tax site. Work is expected to begin in November with completion the following spring.

Phase two will be a continuation of the first phase, with a planning application expected to be submitted in September. The delivery of the section of the spine road is expected to be in 2027, while work on the bridge is expected to start in December.

The delivery of the infrastructure, as well as improvements to the Sandy Road/Holland Road roundabout, is being funded by £9.619m from the government as part of the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport seed capital programme and up to £14.289m of borrowing by the council, which was approved at full council in February.

Stuart Hughes, cabinet member for highway management, said: “I welcome the proposed infrastructure to support the Freeport, which will bring new jobs to the area. The new bridge across the A38 is much needed to support active travel at an early stage in the expansion of homes and jobs on Plymouth’s urban fringe."

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Councillor Andrea Davis, cabinet member for climate change, environment and transport, added: “The Freeport’s vision is to create thousands of high-quality jobs while acting as an exemplar to achieve net zero ahead of 2050. This new bridge supports that vision through the decarbonisation of transport by improving active travel options for short to medium distance journeys in the local area.”

The schemes for the spine road and bridge will go out to tender subject to the resolution of legal and land assembly agreements and planning consents, the local authority said.