LOCKDOWN boozing led to a record number of deaths caused by alcohol last year, figures show.
A total of 9,641 people in the UK died of conditions such as liver disease or alcohol poisoning.
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The toll was up 27 per cent on 2019 — before the Covid pandemic.
Men were twice as likely as women to drink themselves to death, according to the Office for National Statistics.
James Tucker, ONS health expert, said: “This rise is likely to be the result of increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic.”
Karen Tyrell, CEO of Drinkaware, said: “These statistics are devastating and each number masks a family tragedy.”
The NHS says people should not drink more than 14 units of alcohol — equivalent to six pints of beer or six medium glasses of wine — a week.