Press Release Archive

Thursday May 3rd 2001

IAS Attacks Government Proposals for 24 Hour Drinking

Government proposals for 24 hour drinking are against both public opinion and the public interest, the IAS commented today.

The views of the IAS are in line with those of other critics, notably the British Entertainment and Discotheque Association, some of the London Boroughs, and resident's associations, who also argue that taken as a whole the Government's plans would give a major boost to the yob culture while simultaneously reducing the ability of local residents to protect themselves against it.

The IAS submission on the Governments proposals, Time for Reform, includes evidence from other countries suggesting that abolishing pub closing times, far from reducing problems of crime and disorder as the Government claims, will probably make them worse. The IAS argues that, in contradiction to the Government's proposals, local communities should have the power to decide closing times.

However, the IAS supports some of the proposals contained in the White Paper, such as giving local authorities more control of licensing and the police more powers to close troublesome pubs.

A full copy of the submission

"Time for Reform: Proposals for the Modernisation of Our Licensing Laws", is available in pdf format.