To ask the First Minister, in light of the recent reports of an increase in alcohol-related deaths in Scotland, what steps the Scottish Government is taking to reduce excessive drinking. (S6F-03420)

The recent statistics are a stark reminder of the challenge that our nation faces in tackling alcohol harm. The increase in minimum unit pricing of alcohol to 65p per unit this week is an example of concrete action taken by this Government to prevent alcohol harm.

Research has estimated that our policy has saved hundreds of lives and has likely averted hundreds of alcohol-attributable hospital admissions, compared with what would have happened without minimum unit pricing in place.

To support people who are already drinking at hazardous and harmful levels, the Scottish Government provided a sustained record investment of £112 million to alcohol and drug partnerships this year.

Whether we agree with the effectiveness of minimum unit pricing or not, we will agree that it will certainly not be a silver bullet. Many people who are caught in excessive drinking or addiction are self-medicating to counter other traumas. If we are to effectively tackle the scourge of that addiction in Scotland, we need to not only recognise the right to recovery that is advocated by the Scottish Conservatives but work to prevent others from falling into addiction.

Does the First Minister recognise that community activities such as music and drama, and activities provided by youth clubs, sports clubs, the scouts, the guides and all the similar great organisations can also be positive alternative forms of self-medication? If he does, does he further recognise that reducing access to such activities in schools and the community, closing facilities and squeezing third sector funding makes preventing addiction that much more difficult?

There is a lot in Mr Whittle’s question with which I agree. The opportunity to have a fulfilling life that does not require any resort to alcohol or drug dependency can often be delivered by participation in many of the organisations and activities that he mentions. I assure him that I strongly support the work of the third sector and many of the organisations that he talks about—I very much practise that in my parliamentary and ministerial activities.

The only note of discord that I would sound is that we have to find the money from somewhere. I keep coming back to the point that it is all very well for members of Parliament to come here and ask us to fund things and make other provision—which I think is totally valuable—but they must say where they would find the resources for that if they are not going to support us with regard to having the means to do so.

Mr Whittle’s party was responsible for the chaos in our public finances with which we wrestle, and the Government is working our way through those challenges. I simply appeal to Mr Whittle to follow through on his commitment to encourage me to support those organisations and activities by supporting us in having the means to invest in them through the budget process.

Does the First Minister agree that the minimum unit pricing of alcohol has already proven itself, given that analysis by Public Health Scotland and the University of Glasgow estimates that the policy

“has reduced alcohol deaths by 13.4 per cent and hospital admissions caused by alcohol by 4.1 per cent”?

Will he outline the actions that the Scottish Government has taken, in addition to innovative policies such as minimum unit pricing, to support people seeking treatment for alcohol-related issues?

I very much agree with Collette Stevenson that minimum unit pricing has been effective. Recent commentary in The Lancet—in a contribution by internationally renowned public health experts—stated:

“Policy makers can be confident that there are several hundred people ... who are alive today as a result of minimum unit pricing.”

That is something that I think we should all welcome as showing the effectiveness of the policy. However, minimum unit pricing is not the only instrument of policy that we have. On alcohol treatment, the Government has made available £112 million to alcohol and drug partnerships, and we have made £100 million available—or will do so over the course of this parliamentary session—to increase access to residential rehabilitation. We will work with stakeholders to create a new national service specification, alongside guidance for alcohol treatment, to address these issues.

The World Health Organization estimates that more than half of children in Scotland have tried alcohol before they turn 13. What progress is the Government making on the issue? Will the First Minister commit to pursuing policies, with some urgency, that deliver an alcohol-free childhood?

I agree fundamentally with the point that Carol Mochan put to me. The Government is of course pursuing a number of measures under consultation in relation to alcohol marketing, so as to achieve the objective that she understandably put to me. I reassure her that it is part of the Government’s programme to put in place measures that avoid children having exposure to alcohol in their childhood and enable us to achieve more positive outcomes for young people.