Drinking laws clarified

The culture secretary has been forced to insist that pubs will not be open for 24 hours under new government legislation.

Tessa Jowell said on Sunday that she is opposed to round the clock drinking as Labour splits over changes to Britain's licensing laws threatened to spiral out of control.

Stakeholder Response: British National Temperance League

Barbara Biggs, CEO of BNTL, said: "BNTL is against the relaxation of the drinking laws as we feel there is just not sufficient evidence to indicate that it will not cause more harm than good.