A SAFER drinking charity has said yesterday’s budget put the profits of the alcohol industry above the health of the public in the North-East.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak froze duty of alcohol in a move likely to be popular among drinkers and manufacturers.

But Colin Shevills, director of Balance, said: “This represents another missed opportunity to help ease an additional pressure of cheap alcohol.

“It’s important to note that in real terms, freezing alcohol duty represents a cut in alcohol duty, which has been costing the Government £1.2bn every year since 2012.

“While the alcohol industry continues to benefit from the reductions in alcohol duty, our frontline services are continuing to mop up the fallout from the products they sell.”