Labour Proposes One-Pint Limit, Threatening Pubs Across England

Plans from the Labour Party to lower the drink-drive limit in England and Wales are raising alarms among pub landlords already grappling with rising operational costs. Under proposed changes, drivers may face a limit of one pint or less, a significant reduction from the current threshold of 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, which is the highest in Europe alongside Malta. This new limit could align England and Wales with Scotland, where the threshold was reduced in 2014.

According to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), such a move would severely impact rural pubs, which are already facing significant challenges. The association has urged the government to ensure that any changes to the drink-drive regulations are “proportionate and evidence-based,” highlighting the need to protect establishments struggling to stay afloat.

“The pub sector is committed to actively promoting responsible drinking,”

a BBPA spokesperson stated. They further noted the decline in alcohol-related driving accidents reported in recent government data.

The impact of the proposed limit is compounded by other pressures facing the industry, including increases to the national minimum wage and employer National Insurance contributions. In 2025, an average of one pub closed each day in England and Wales. Some establishments have even banned Labour MPs in protest against the government’s plans to end COVID-era business rates relief, as outlined by Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves during the November budget.

Christopher Snowdon from the Institute of Economic Affairs commented that reducing the drink-drive limit might not effectively enhance road safety. He noted that after Scotland’s limit was lowered, there was no significant reduction in road accidents. “Drink-driving accidents typically involve people who are well over the limit,” he explained, emphasizing that enforcement of laws should take precedence over changing existing limits.

The Labour Party’s proposal is part of a broader government strategy aimed at addressing “stalled” progress on road safety. This strategy includes additional measures such as mandatory alcolocks for some convicted drink-drivers, new powers to suspend driving licenses for suspected offenders, and mandatory sight tests for drivers over 70.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander emphasized the urgency of these measures, stating, “Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy that devastates families and communities.” She noted that progress on road safety has stagnated and that this strategy represents a critical turning point that could save thousands of lives over the next decade.

The government has acknowledged that 22 European nations have made greater strides than the UK in reducing road crash fatalities. The number of deaths on British roads has generally decreased since the 1970s, but the rate of decline has slowed since 2010. In 1972, there were 7,763 road deaths, which fell to 1,602 in 2024.

As discussions continue, the pub industry remains on high alert, concerned that further policy measures could exacerbate the struggles faced by many local businesses, particularly in rural areas. The outcome of this proposal will likely have lasting implications for both road safety and the future of pubs across the nation.