Thing is Eveready did make alkaline batteries under the Mallory name but the Ignorant UK government made them hive that part off, another case of political medalling screwing things up. Politicians should stick to things like sweeping the roads preferably themselves doing the job.
I noticed that, when I read through the linked reference(s), in this thread. I does seem crazy, because the new upcoming Alkaline batteries needed to have competition. Otherwise, the company (Ever ready), would potentially be taken over and eventually wound down and/or moved abroad. Also, it could mean the upcoming Alkaline battery industry, could end up producing rather poor quality batteries, as regards
leak resistance, which unfortunately, seems to be the case now.
I.e. I wouldn't trust any brand of Alkaline batteries, to NOT leak, and potentially damage or even destroy (write-off), the item they were powering.
I think governments, would do a very good job of sweeping the roads. As they seem to have so much experience, of
sweeping everything under the carpet.

It would be well worthwhile, if quality Alkaline brand(s), would re-appear on the market. Selling, genuine leak-proof (or at least highly resistant to leaking), versions. Even if they cost more. It seems to be a highly overlooked subject area, which most people don't seem to either notice or talk about, in general. Even on this forum, it is not mentioned that often, but it does crop up from time to time, and EEVblog has done video(s) about it.
I suspect, it is part of the e-waste, throw-away, don't repair, planet destroying problem. As the (price increase is a very approximate guess) £0.10/$0.135 saved per battery, force the replacement of a, perhaps £100/$135 item, because the batteries leaked, while they were left in it, for the last year, or more.
Presumably, it wouldn't cost much to make them leak proof. But I don't really know, as I would assume for safety reasons, if it was too well sealed, it could present a gas build up, and small explosion or even fire risk/hazard.
Maybe we (ignoring Brexit), need the EU to regulate a new leak proof batteries, requirements regulation, and hope the UK follows suit.