Labour minister Andrew Gwynne reportedly told a conference fringe event discussion was needed about pub opening hours.
A ‘nanny state’ row has erupted in Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party. (Image: Getty)
‘Nanny state’ measures forcing pubs to call last orders early have been ruled out by a senior Labour minister.
Public health minister Andrew Gwynne told a Labour Party conference fringe event on Monday (September 23) that talk of “tightening up the hours of operation” of bars and pubs ought to be on the Government’s agenda.
Mr Gwynne had said the idea was being examined as part of efforts to clamp down on anti-social behaviour and improve public health.
He insisted Labour wasn’t the “fun police”, but argued at the conference that a discussion had to happen “even if it’s just about tightening up on some of the hours of operation” especially where there are concerns about overdrinking.
Fellow Labour MP Pat McFadden on Tuesday (September 24) denied there are plans to change licensing rules which would force pubs to shut early.
Andrew Gwynne reportedly says Labour isn’t the ‘fun police’. (Image: Getty)
Such a move would be at odds with Sir Tony Blair‘s government, which brought in laws allowing pubs to apply for 24-hour drinking licences.
In an interview with Nick Ferrari on LBC’s Breakfast show, Mr McFadden denied remarks attributed to Mr Gwynne which were first reported in the Telegraph
Mr McFadden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: “I don’t think there’s any plan to shut the pubs early. The pub is a great part of British life.”
The Cabinet Office minister also vowed to table an emergency resolution at his party’s conference to halt such a change, “if that’s on the agenda”.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said it was “categorically untrue” to suggest it was considering changes to licensing policy.
Pat McFadden says the pub is a great part of British life. (Image: Getty)
Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, welcomed Mr McFadden’s move to deny the rumours.
She said: “It is a huge relief that the idea of restricting pub hours has been quashed, as it suggested a fundamental misunderstanding about how people drink.
“As the Chancellor (Rachel Reeves) said, this budget will be about economic growth, so it’s important to avoid baffling proposals that would not only ineffectively tackle an issue, but diminish the economy and put jobs at risk.
“The great British pub is at the heart of communities up and down the country who put their faith in Labour for the first time in a generation.
“We urge the party not to turn its back on them now they are in government and to honour those promises for the future survival of this vital industry.”
Ms McClarkin had previously criticised a plan to ban smoking in pub gardens, which she said could have “a devastating impact on pubs who are already struggling with soaring energy prices and the cost of doing business”.
According to leaked proposals seen by The Sun newspaper, the Government is set to ban smoking in some outdoor areas in a bid to improve public health.
Asked about the plans in August, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “My starting point on this is to remind everyone that over 80,000 people lose their lives every year because of smoking. That’s a preventable death.
“It’s a huge burden on the NHS, and, of course, it’s a burden on the taxpayer. So, yes, we are going to take decisions in this space.
“More details will be revealed, but this is a preventable series of deaths, and we’ve got to take action to reduce the burden on the NHS and reduce the burden on the taxpayer.”
