BBPA rejects Lib Dem licensing attack
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has hit out at claims by the Liberal Democrats that new data on licensing shows the Government is "failing to enforce the licensing laws".
The party called for the Government to "start holding Britain's pubs, bars and off-licences to account for the country's binge drinking problems".
The Lib Dems pointed to the small proportion of outlets that have suffered suspensions of premises licences - 69 of 122,900 - and personal licences, 13 of 252,600. There were 11 revocations of personal licences while four licensees were convicted of selling alcohol to drunks in 2005.
The Lib Dems also sited more than one million violent incidents involving alcohol in 2006/2007 and a doubling of the number of drinkers being admitted to A&E under Labour.
In addition, they pointed to a 40% failure rate for venues not asking for ID on the first visit in the summer's national sting campaign.
Lib Dem culture spokesman Don Foster (pictured) said: "The Government's own figures show a complete failure to tackle Britain's growing drink problem.
"When the new Licensing Act was introduced, we were promised a continental drinking culture, but in reality we've seen a dramatic leap in alcohol related A&E admissions and a surge in drunken violence.
"We have laws in place to guard against these incidents, but they just aren't being enforced - when laws are flouted, licences must be revoked or suspended.
"The buck must stop with ministers - it's their job to hold Britain's pubs, bars and off-licences to account for the country's binge drinking culture."
In response, BBPA director of communications Mark Hastings said: "Far from an indication of failure, these numbers are a clear signal of success.
"The fact that very small numbers of pubs have had their licences reviewed or revoked clearly shows that pubs are neither perceived to be nor are they in reality causing any problems for their local communities.
"Clearly local residents, police and local authorities aren't instituting reviews because they do not believe them to be necessary.
"What is also being overlooked is the fact that since the new Licensing Act was introduced the amount we drink as a nation has been consistently falling - last year was the largest fall for 15 years."
