Scots Drink Deaths Are UK Highest

Shock figures spark alcohol price hike plea

- Craig Paton

The rate of death from alcohol in Scotland is the highest in the UK, new figures show.

A study by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed 21.5 deaths per 100,000 of the population were caused by alcohol last year - an increase from 18.6 the year before.

Scotland's rate is well above that of the UK, which is 14 per 100,000, according to the figures.

Ireland moves from the highest rate to the second-highest, rising from 18.8 to 19.6. Wales recorded 13.9 deaths per 100,000, while England reported a rate of 13.