meeson
|
Tory pledges "major review" of Licensing ActTory pledges "major review" of Licensing Act
Shadow Licensing Minister says act has led to more crime and binge-drinking
Tobias Ellwood has today revealed the Tories would conduct a “major review” of the Licensing Act, if elected.
The Shadow Licensing Minister, who was speaking at a licensing conference in Wandsworth, London, argued the Act had increased binge-drinking and alcohol-related crime and the promised café culture had not happened.
He also claimed the Act had seen a break-out in competition among pubs and clubs trying to stay open later.
He said councils should be given “autonomy” to control the situation.
Earlier he said: “There are a different set of values we are seeing today from people that are going out to drink.
“A major question is: why do we have a reputation for developing binge-drinkers in the UK?”
He argued the onus was on individuals to be responsible and said not enough children were getting advice from their parents on alcohol.
Instead he said education on alcohol must come from schools.
On the issue on supermarkets selling cheap alcohol, he said: “Supermarkets cannot continue selling alcohol at below-cost and the turn a blind to the problems”.
|
