Press Release
18^th May 2004

Time Called on Binge Drinking
Proposals to tackle binge drinking have been welcomed by MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil.

The new Scottish Executive plans seek to modernise Scotland’s licensing laws, promote sensible drinking and “call time” on irresponsible alcohol promotions.  Launching the proposals, Justice Minister, Cathy Jamieson said she hoped they could “break the link between excessive drinking and crime”.  

Backing the scheme Mr McNeil said:

“There is no doubt that the current licensing regime is outdated and in need of reform – anyone who gets woken up or is assaulted in the street by drunken louts on a Friday night knows that.

“A number of constituents from the town centre have made representations to me about the noise and antisocial behaviour caused by swathes of people flooding onto the streets at closing time – particularly at the weekend.  I hope that the more flexible opening times which the new proposals will allow, combined with the drive against irresponsible drinks promotions, will lead to homeward-bound drunks being considerably thinner on the ground.

“I am also glad that the Minister is highlighting the need for all premises to help get tough on underage drinking by operating the ‘no proof no sale’ initiative.”

Launching the proposals Justice Minister, Cathy Jamieson MSP, said:

“Scotland has always had an uneasy relationship with alcohol.  It may provide us with our national drink but it also provides us with real national problems.  That is why our licensing laws need to support efforts to improve the nation’s health and help break the link between excessive drinking and crime.

“But they also need to reflect the way Scots live and work.  Our current licensing laws are out of step with these social developments.  We need new laws which reflect modern Scotland.  This package of reforms provides a sensible way forward.

“Our proposals recognise that the vast majority of Scots are able to drink responsibly and that any changes must support the majority.  But I am also clear that increasing flexibility in the licensing system must not be confused with a relaxed approach to enforcement.”
ENDS

Notes
The new proposals include:

• Improved monitoring of licence condition compliance and tougher sanctions against those who flout them;
• A crackdown on irresponsible drinks promotions which encourage binge drinking and lead to antisocial behaviour;
• Local flexibility within a clear national framework – with national licence conditions and a national licensing forum to ensure consistency across Scotland;
• New requirements for licensing boards to assess local provision – to determine when a saturation point has been reached;
• Improvements to the objection process including widening the range of local people able to object; and
• The replacement of the present inflexible system of “fixed” opening hours with extensions, to a tailored “premises by premises” approach.

The photograph above shows (L to R) MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil; Minister for Justice, Cathy Jamieson MSP; and MSP for West Renfrewshire, Trish Godman.

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