Pubs may be forced to close earlier as the Labour government considers new measures to tackle harmful drinking, according to a health minister.

Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Public Health Minister Andrew Gwynne mentioned that the government is evaluating the possibility of "tightening up the hours of operation" for bars and pubs in an effort to improve public health and reduce anti-social behavior.

However, a spokesperson for the Department of Health refuted the claim, stating: "This is categorically untrue."

Mr. Gwynne emphasized that Labour is not acting as the "fun police" or "supernanny," explaining that the proposals are based on both moral and economic considerations. He argued that the current state of public health in the UK is "morally reprehensible," and that the NHS does not have the financial capacity to meet rising demand without addressing the root causes of health problems.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Chris Whitty has warned that 60% of the NHS budget could eventually be spent on preventable diseases if current trends continue, a sharp rise from the current 40%.

Gwynne stressed the importance of these discussions, even if they focus on modest measures like reducing pub operating hours in areas where overconsumption of alcohol is a concern. He also highlighted the broader impact of alcohol on society, noting its role in contributing to domestic violence.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has established a health mission board, led by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, to ensure that all government policies consider their potential health benefits and risks. This board is developing a five-point plan targeting smoking, obesity, alcohol, inactivity, and clean air, ahead of the spending review.

Gwynne also pointed out that reducing alcohol-related harm could benefit the Home Office by reducing the burden of alcohol-fueled domestic violence.

These discussions follow recent reports that Labour is considering a ban on outdoor smoking in certain public spaces, such as small parks, pub gardens, and areas outside hospitals, nightclubs, and sports venues. The aim is to reduce preventable deaths and ease pressure on the NHS. However, the hospitality industry has warned that such measures could further harm businesses that are still recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo by Love Art Nouveau, Wikimedia commons.