Banks: Loans

Derek Twigg:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with representatives of banks regarding the costs of home loans. [83372]

Mr Hoban:
Treasury Ministers and officials have discussions with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of all such discussions.

 

Read more...

Shock rise in alcohol liver disease

[Posted: Thu 24/11/2011 by Niall Hunter, Editor www.irishhealth.com]

Death rates from alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in Ireland have seen a massive increase during the Celtic Tiger years, according to a new study.

The mortality rate (per 100,000 population aged 15 and over) among patients treated in hospital for ALD was 2.6 in 1995 and 7.5 in 2009, an increase of 188%.

“We have a situation where there is a massive industry based around alcohol yet none of the money is put into harm reduction. There should be some sort of levy on alcohol advertisements or off licence sales to fund research for better treatment,” said Dr Aiden McCormick, Chairman of the Irish Society Gastroenterology.  

Read more...

• Britain is 11th booziest nation in Europe
• Doctors say drinkers should have three days off alcohol a week to protect their livers

By
Daniel Martin

Last updated at 10:25 PM on 23rd November 2011

Consumption of alcohol has soared in Britain over the last few decades while it has plummeted on the continent.

Adults in the UK drink 9 per cent more than they did in 1980, making us the 11th booziest nation in Europe – although our intake has fallen slightly over the past few years.

Metastatic Melanoma

Pauline Latham:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people died from metastatic melanoma by each (a) cancer network and (b) primary care trust in each year since 1997. [82638]

Mr Hurd:
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.

Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated November 2011:

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people died from metastatic melanoma by each (a) cancer network and (b) primary care trust in each year since 1997 (82638)  

Read more...

25 November 2011
Last updated at 15:58

The Scottish government says minimum pricing would target problem drinkers

The Scottish government’s plans to tackle problem drinkers will mean most people paying more at off-licences, according to a new report.

The Institute of Fiscal Studies said a minimum price per unit of alcohol would make retailers and producers richer at the expense of customers.

It believes increasing prices through taxation would be a fairer option.

Ministers have defended their approach, saying a minimum price was the best way to target problem drinkers.  

Read more...