Ministers to press ahead with liberal licensing laws to boost economy despite fears of increased violence

Ministers are to press ahead with relaxation of licensing laws despite fears over violence, as government sources said economic need outweighed the concerns.

Responding to warnings from politicians and policing chiefs, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said the purpose of the temporary changes to licensing laws was to allow pubs and clubs to sell more alcohol and drinks for consumption off the premises.

The relaxation, in the Business and Planning bill,  frees pubs and bars, currently barred from doing so, to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises for a year even if their licence extends into the early hours. Lords including former Home Secretary Lord Blunkett and former Met police chief Brian Paddick warned it would fuel violence and disorder among revellers who might already be drunk.

However, the No 10 spokesman said: "The purpose of those changes, temporary changes to licensing laws is to allow them to sell more for consumption off the premises. that will make social distancing easier for customers who wish to take their drinks home with them. 

"But of course we expect everyone to act responsibly and to comply with the guidelines to keep themselves, their family and friends safe, as the vast majority are doing. 

“You obviously saw over the weekend that the vast majority of the public in England did behave responsibly, did follow social distancing guidelines, and many police forces reported a relatively quiet night."

The Local Government Association (LGA) indicated it had only supported the proposals after receiving assurances that there would be a fast-track system for reviewing licenses to ban off-sales from pubs or bars where problems emerged.

Sir Peter Fahy, former chief constable of Greater Manchester, said the problem lay not with off-sales - as late-night drinkers could buy alcohol from 24/7 supermarkets, off-licences or petrol stations but with the policing of social distancing.

“Drunk people don’t social distance. How police are supposed to police that, I don’t know. Are they one gathering or are they separate groups? It’s impossible,” he said.

While largely without major incident, Super Saturday saw large crowds pack streets in defiance of pleas by ministers and medical chiefs to maintain social distancing. It followed illegal raves and house parties that have led to violence and police officers being attacked as they tried to break them up.