Alcohol price limits urged for O'Neill and Little-Pengelly.

More than 60 health bodies and charities have written to Northern Ireland's leaders urging introduction of minimum unit pricing after official figures showed alcohol-specific deaths rose from 219 in 2014 to 397 in 2024, an increase of 81%.

More than 60 health organisations and charities have written to Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly urging the introduction of minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol. The appeal follows official statistics showing alcohol-specific deaths increased from 219 in 2014 to 397 in 2024, an 81% rise over the decade. Signatories include major medical and public health bodies and the Alcohol Health Alliance framed the policies in the letter as "life-saving." The Health Minister has expressed support for MUP but said progress faces a blockage and warned time is running out before the end of the assembly mandate. Key facts: - Over 60 health and charity organisations jointly urged Northern Ireland's leaders to introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol. - Official figures report alcohol-specific deaths rose from 219 in 2014 to 397 in 2024, an 81% increase. - Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has signalled commitment to MUP but has said implementation is being blocked by colleagues and that time is limited before the assembly mandate ends. - Scotland introduced MUP in 2018 and reported lower alcohol-specific deaths in recent years, which is cited in the letter as evidence from elsewhere. Summary: The letter highlights a marked rise in alcohol-related deaths and asks the Executive to adopt minimum unit pricing alongside other measures. Health officials and organisations are divided on progress, and the next procedural steps toward implementing MUP in Northern Ireland are undetermined at this time.