BOOZE KILLED 1245 SCOTS LAST YEAR

Demands for government to increase spending to fund services and save lives

- PAUL HUTCHEON

SHOCKING figures have revealed the highest number of booze-related deaths in over a decade.

New stats show 1245 people died in the first full year of the pandemic.

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said: "These devastating figures expose a growing public health emergency that calls for an urgent response from the SNP government. Each and every one of these deaths is a tragedy, and it is heartbreaking to see things getting worse instead of better.

"Once again we are seeing the shameful consequences of the SNP's cuts to drug and alcohol services."

The statistics covered 2021, a year in which the country faced lockdown and other Covid restrictions.

The death toll rose by five per cent compared to 2020 - the highest number since 2008. Death rates are 5.6 higher in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived.