Exclusive

'This is nonsense': Keir Starmer shuts down claims pubs will be forced to close early to tackle harmful drinking

25 September 2024, 08:07

Sir Keir shut down suggestions that pubs will be forced to close early
Sir Keir shut down suggestions that pubs will be forced to close early. Picture: LBC/Alamy

By Emma Soteriou

Keir Starmer has shut down rumours that pubs will be forced to close early to tackle harmful drinking.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast, the PM said the claims were "nonsense".

It comes after public health minister Andrew Gwynne told a Labour Party fringe event that the government was considering "tightening up the hours of operation" of bars and pubs.

The move was suggested in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour and boost health.

But Sir Keir told Nick: "This is not government policy. We are not going to do it."

He added: "Closing time is not going to change. I can give you that guarantee."

Read more: 'Clear out the Tory rot… and build a better Britain', says Sir Keir Starmer in first conference speech as PM

Read more: Starmer's 'Biden moment' as PM calls Israeli hostages 'sausages' during Labour party conference speech

Nick Ferrari is joined by Sir Keir Starmer | Watch the full interview

Speaking at the conference on Monday, Mr Gwynne originally said: "These are discussions that we have got to have – even if it’s just about tightening up on some of the hours of operation; particularly where there are concerns that people are drinking too much."

He went on to say: "Alcohol harm is one of the key areas: the availability of alcohol, the harms that over-drinking does, domestic violence, the licensing laws..."

"Actually there is a big win for the Home Office because a lot of domestic violence they have to deal with is as a direct consequence of alcohol," Mr Gwynne added.

Pat McFadden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, denied the claims on Tuesday, telling Nick: "I don't think there's any plan to shut the pubs early. The pub is a great part of British life.

"I don't have a drink during conference, partly so I can look forward to having a nice one when the conference is over and I hope that the pub will be open when I go in."

Responding to the original report, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesman also said: "It is categorically untrue that the government is considering changing alcohol licensing hours."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Older people are less likely to be given antibiotics for common infections by their GP compared with younger adults, a new study suggests.

Elderly people less likely to be given antibiotics despite higher risk, study says

Friends of Prince Andrew say he's "unsurprised" Giuffre made the post

Prince Andrew 'not surprised' his accuser shared shock post saying she had 'four days to live'

Westminster Council is offering staff an online ‘privilege walk’ quiz

'Britain’s wokest council' tells staff to take quiz to check their privilege

Exclusive
Wayne Newman, a pest control expert from OP Kill Pest Control.

'It's a losing battle': On the road with Birmingham's pest control as they tackle city's rat infestation amid bin strike

South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol

South Korea president Yoon Suk Yeol removed from office as impeachment upheld over martial law declaration

NHS hospitals and buildings are plagued by rats, cockroaches, silverfish and other pests, results from the latest staff survey have revealed.

Hospital of horrors: NHS 'plagued by rats and cockroaches' as well as 'sewage leaks and crumbling ceilings'

Sadiq Khan will get new powers to overrule councils that block pubs and clubs opening late

Boost for London's nightlife as Khan goes to war with local councils that block pubs and clubs opening late

Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen to put out seven 'lost' albums of unreleased songs

Val Kilmer & Tom Cruise in Top Gun

Tom Cruise breaks silence on 'dear friend' Val Kilmer's death with emotional tribute to Top Gun co-star

Virginia Giuffre

Woman driving Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre during crash that left her with 'four days to live' breaks silence

Prescot, Merseyside

Girl, 13, dies in horror Merseyside house fire as five children escape unharmed

File photo of a Harris hawk

Dive-bombing hawk that terrorised village with string of blood-soaked attacks finally caught by local hero

Exclusive
'Donald Trump has made Putin comfortable,' Mikhail Khodorkovsky has warned

'Trump has made Putin comfortable' despite massive Ukraine war losses, exiled former oligarch tells LBC

New images show the moment the two ships collided.

New images show moment of North Sea crash as investigation reveals neither ship had a 'dedicated lookout'

Washington, DC, USA. 15 Apr 2017. A balloon caricature of President Donald Trump appears at the Tax March protest near the U.S. Capitol.

Buy US chlorinated chicken in return for lower tariffs, Trump tells Britain

From jeans to jet fuel and firearms to whiskey: Britain unveils lengthy list of US items facing tariffs

From jeans to jet fuel and firearms to whisky: Britain unveils lengthy list of US items facing tariffs