Gordon Brown to keep 24-hour drinking laws in place

Prime Minister Gordon Brown will not move to restrict opening hours in England and Wales, according to media reports ahead of a review of drinking laws.

The review is instead expected to conclude that many of the fears surrounding the Licensing Act 2003 (which was introduced in 2005) were exaggerated with the liberation of drinking laws broadly working well.

However the Times has quoted ministers and officials at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport suggesting adjustments to the laws could be made concentrating on restrictions on live music in pubs, clubs and restaurants.

Brown first indicated that a review of the Licensing Act would take place back in July, a call he reiterated in September when he said that if the review called for a reversal of policy he would commit to one.

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By Christopher Walton