Is Nanny Keir after your beer? Labour minister suggests pubs could be forced to SLASH their opening hours in bid to tackle harmful drinking

Pubs could be forced to cut their opening hours under 'nanny state' plans to tackle harmful drinking. Public health minister Andrew Gwynne said the government is looking at overhauling the licensing laws in a drive to boost the nation's health and tackle anti-social behaviour The proposal, which comes just a month after it emerged that Labour is planning to ban smoking in beer gardens and outside restaurants, triggered an immediate backlash in the licensed industry Last night, Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, warned the 'half-baked plans' would be detrimental to the trade, with 50 pubs already closing each month Public health minister Andrew Gwynne pictured with Jeremy Corbyn, Rebecca Long-Bailey and Barbara Keeley in 2019 Mr Gwynne's move comes against the backdrop of growing concerns within the Department of Health and Social Care about the rising cost of treating preventable diseases such as cancer, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Mr Gwynne said the government's chief medical officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, has shown ministers slides that reveal the cost of treating preventable diseases currently accounts for 40 per cent of the NHS budget and would rise to 60 per cent if trends continue Asked about Professor Whitty's position on reining in licensing hours, Mr Gwynne replied: 'He is very keen that there is a refresh of the licensing laws.' Chris Snowdon, head of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: 'The last Labour government's decision to relax licensing laws was a great success but it seems the new Government wants to hammer pubs any way it can' However, Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of Alcohol Health Alliance UK, said: 'We welcome any move by this Government to reduce alcohol harm using evidence-based policies such as tackling licensing hours' 'At a time when hospitality businesses continue to face enormous challenges, forcing 50 pubs a month to close, the sector needs certainty and a strong licensing framework with decisions made locally in a way that directly benefits the communities they serve. However, Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of Alcohol Health Alliance UK, said: 'We welcome any move by this Government to reduce alcohol harm using evidence-based policies such as tackling licensing hours.