Govt's drinking laws 'cost £100 million'

Government's 24-hour licensing laws have cost taxpayers £100 million

Tuesday, 01, Jul 2008 12:00

A new survey has claimed that the government's 24-hour licensing laws have cost taxpayers £100 million and failed to cut drink-fuelled disorder.

In a survey by the Local Government Association (LGA) published today, seven out of ten police authorities, primary care trusts and councils said the number of alcohol-related incidents had gone up or stayed the same.

"The new laws have made no impact on disorder whatsoever," Sir Simon Milton, LGA chairman said.

Almost all of the local authority respondents, 93 per cent, claimed the Licensing Act 2003 had increased pressure on resources.

Those working in primary care trusts said there had been a 29 per cent rise in drink-related incidents, while police authorities reported a ten per cent rise.

The Licensing Act came into force on November 24th 2004 and established a single integrated system for licensing premises.

Today's report highlights that £100 million of taxpayers' money has been spent on the licensing laws.

"The report clearly shows the real financial strain that the new laws have had on councils, hospitals and other local services," Sir Simon said.

"Hospitals and the police are finding that they are called into action 24 hours a day, stopping disruption, breaking up fights and patching up the walking wounded.

"Town halls have been landed with an accumulated bill of £100million from the new laws and have been left with little option but to pass the cost on to the council taxpayer.

"It is totally unacceptable that the hard-pressed council taxpayer should be forced to pick up the bill for something that the government said would not cost them a penny."