24-hour drinking 'next year'

Britain's licensing laws could be changed to allow 24-hour drinking by next year.

Labour ministers are privately saying that an announcement is set to be made in November. It follows accusations that the party has broken election promises to scrap laws which force bars to stop serving at 11pm.

Former home office minister Mike O'Brien accused the Government of breaking a promise to pub-goers when the changes were left off the agenda for Parliament in June last year. They are now expected to feature in the next Queen's Speech and - if supported by MPs - will be made law by 2003.

Labour tried to attract young voters at the last election, sending out text messages saying: "cdnt give a xxxx 4 lst orders? vote labour on thrsdy 4 xtra time." No parliamentary time was found for the change during this parliament but a slot has been found in the next legislative programme.

The Bill will set up the system outlined in last year's White Paper, Time for Reform, which it is hoped will end Britain's "binge drinking" culture and make city centres safer.

A spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers said: "We support the removal of the rigid permitted hours which are so clearly linked to peaks of crime and disorder."

Food & Drink