Brown: 24-hour drinking law to be reviewed

Gordon Brown is to review the operation of the law allowing 24-hour drinking which critics claim has led to increase in binge drinking.

After his early decisions as Prime Minister to stop the moves towards supercasinos in Manchester and elsewhere, and to consider a higher classification for cannabis, Mr Brown made plain today that he was preparing to look at the impact of the relaxation of the licensing laws two years ago.

He told his first monthly press conference at Downing Street that the change had prompted very strong views and it was right to look at the evidence.

It has also emerged that Mr Brown will tell MPs on Wednesday that he wants the police to be given stronger powers to detain terrorist suspects, calling for the current 28-day limit to be increased.

Aides said later that the licensing review was not in the same category as those relating to casinos and drugs classification on which Mr Brown already had clear views. But they confirmed that he was ready to look at the 24-hour drinking issue without any pre-ordained opinion of the outcome.

The Home Office and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport are currently monitoring the impact of the changes across the country.

Aides said that Mr Brown would be looking at those results but also carrying out a more formal process of consultation with local authorities and police in the areas reported to have been badly affected by the changes.