How much do students drink?

Union booze

Several universities have renamed freshers’ week ‘welcome week’ in an attempt to dissociate it from heavy drinking. How much do students drink?

– A survey last year by the group Students Organising for Sustainability found that 81% regard drinking and getting drunk as part of university culture.

– 53% reported drinking more than once a week.

– 61% said they drink in their rooms or with other students before going out for the night to a pub or club.

– 51% said that they thought getting drunk would ensure they had a good night out.

– 13% said they took illegal drugs.

Round the houses

Councils are to be allowed to charge more council tax for second homes. How many second homes are there in England?

– There are 3.335m properties reported to be used as second homes.

– However, 2.308m of these also serve as someone else’s main home.

– 191,000 second homes are intended to be sold, or to be moved into, in the near future.