Just 4 per cent of the population consume almost one-third of all the alcohol sold in England, new healthcare data has revealed.

The figures emerged during a debate on a 50p minimum unit price on alcohol by a parliamentary committee on Monday.

Rosanna O'Connor, director of Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco at Public Health England (PHE) said: "Around 4.4 per cent of the population are drinking just under a third of the alcohol consumed in this country. That's around 2 million drinking just over 30 per cent of the alcohol."

Ms O'Connor said the majority of the group were drinking very cheap, high-strength alcohol such as cider. A three-litre bottle of cider containing 22.5 units of alcohol can be bought for as little as £3.60.

If the 50p minimum unit price were to be introduced, the costs would jump to £11.

Ms O'Connor said: "The result would be a significant impact on a small group of people. That's why it's such a targeted policy for such great health gains."