New 24-hour drinking laws 'cost council taxpayers £100 million' » Communities » 24dash.com

The 24-hour licensing laws have cost council taxpayers £100 million and failed to reduce the number of alcohol-fuelled disorders, it was reported today.

Seven out of 10 police authorities, primary care trusts and councils said the number of drink-related incidents has gone up or stayed the same, according to a survey by the Local Government Association.

Almost one in three primary care trusts reported an increase, the report said.

The Government hoped the introduction of extended drinking hours in November 2005 would lead to people drinking at a slower rate and, therefore, fewer alcohol-fuelled incidents.

But, according to reports, Sir Simon Milton, chairman of the LGA, said: "The new drink laws have made no impact whatsoever on reducing the alcohol-related violence that blights town centres on a Friday and Saturday night."

Sir Simon also said the LGA survey - which was based on responses from 51 local authorities, 49 primary care trusts and 20 police authorities - showed the financial strain of round-the-clock drinking on services.

"Town halls have been landed with an accumulated bill of £100 million from the new laws and have been left with little option but to pass the cost on to the council taxpayer," he added.

Sir Simon is due to address the LGA's annual conference, which starts in in Bournemouth today.

Progressive Vision, the liberal think tank, believes irresponsible drinkers – not the taxpayer - should pick up any bills associated with their behaviour.

Shane Frith, director of Progressive Vision, said: “Many predicted that anarchy and chaos would be the result of longer licensing hours. This has simply not been the case.

“But where costs have increased, these should be borne by irresponsible drinkers, not by taxpayers in general.

“If you drink so much that you fall over and are admitted to hospital, you should not expect the expense to be borne by the public purse.

Adults should be entitled to drink whatever they want, whenever they want, but if they over-indulge, they should face the full costs of doing so.”