Licensing laws will remain “under review”
The Culture Secretary has said that new licensing laws which will permit 24-hour drinking will be closely monitored when they come into force in November.
Defending the policy, Tessa Jowell said the laws would be kept “very closely under review” and that steps would be taken to deal with any “unintended consequences” of the legislation as necessary.
There are fears that longer opening hours could lead to an increase in drink-fuelled crime and disorder, but in an interview for BBC Radio 4 programme The Westminster Hour, Ms Jowell insisted that the policy would help to tackle the problem of binge drinking.
“The policy is not wrong and I believe that time will prove it right,” she said.
“But of course like all major legislation we will keep its effect, once it’s actually in place, very closely under review.”
“I have always said we would monitor its impact and if any of its unintended consequences materialise we will take steps to address those.”
In an earlier article for the Independent on Sunday defending the Licensing Act 2003, the Culture Secretary attacked text messages sent to first time voters in the 2001 general election campaign, urging them to back Labour because it would extend traditional pub closing times.
The “Don’t give a XXXX for last orders? Vote Labour” message had been a “stupid slogan” Ms Jowell said.
Under the new licensing law, some pubs and clubs have applied for 24-hour opening.
In an article for the Times newspaper on Monday, chairman of the Royal College of Physicians’ alcohol committee, Professor Ian Gilmore claims that extended opening hours are likely to lead to an increase in alcohol consumption.
The Association of Chief Police Officers has also pressed the Government to delay the reforms amid fears they could lead to an increase in irresponsible behaviour.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives have accused ministers of ignoring concerns that pubs and clubs will face greater costs and red tape to host live music under the new licensing laws.
Shadow Culture Secretary Theresa May claims the Government has ignored warnings from its own advisory group that smaller pubs and clubs are finding it complicated and expensive to apply for new live music licenses under the legislation.
