MPs have issued a stark warning that the traditional British pint could be under threat thanks to new legislation currently being debated.
The Product Regulation Bill, which aims to review alcohol measures, has sparked concerns among parliamentarians who fear it could be exploited by future governments to reduce drink sizes.
The controversy centres around concerns that the legislation could potentially open the door to replacing the beloved pint with smaller measures, prompting calls for protective amendments to the bill.
Former minister Lord Sharpe has warned that future governments could potentially misuse the bill’s powers.
In a warning to fellow peers, he highlighted the risk of the role of Secretary of State being held by a “metric maniac.”
His particular concerns focus on the possibility of the traditional British pint being replaced by the Australian schooner.
Lord Sharpe described the schooner as “an abomination of a vessel, marginally too large for a sensible sherry but far too small for a sensible beer.”
“It is not difficult to imagine… some interfering busybody who decides that they know what is better for the health of the nation than those who make up the population of the nation,” he warned peers.
He urged fellow peers to support his amendment to the Product Regulation Bill, aiming to protect the traditional pint measure.
Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith has thrown his support behind preserving the pint: “We should have pride in pints, not sink them by stealth.”
A Government spokesperson said: “Pints of draught beer and cider remain part of our national identity. We have no plans to change this.”
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Ministers plan to slash more than 10,000 civil service roles
With Chancellor Rachel Reeves requiring departments to implement 5 per cent budget reductions as part of a spending review, insiders suggested that job cuts are unavoidable
GETTY
Ministers are planning to slash over 10,000 civil service jobs as Whitehall departments face pressure to meet spending limits under a new government efficiency initiative.
Sources indicated a growing consensus that the civil service had become overly large and unwieldy, largely due to its expansion to address the demands of Brexit and the Covid pandemic, according to information obtained by the Guardian.
With Chancellor Rachel Reeves requiring departments to implement 5 per cent budget reductions as part of a spending review, insiders suggested that job cuts are unavoidable.
A Cabinet Office source acknowledged that departments would need to make some “very hard choices” about staffing levels to remain within Treasury-mandated budgets.
Pat McFadden, the Cabinet Office minister said: “We don’t have a target for headcount.
“My focus is on making the people who work for us into being as productive as they possibly can. That’s why those efficiencies that the chancellor announced in the budget are important and there will be more to come. And technology should help us become more productive in the future.”
Councils forced to build homes to resolve England’s housing crisis, PM says
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and deputy leader Angela Rayner
PA
Councils will be required to build homes to address England’s housing crisis, says Sir Keir Starmer.
Binding targets will mandate the construction of 370,000 homes annually, with the Government specifying targets for each area.
Starmer has emphasised the urgency of the issue saying: “We owe it to working families to act now.”
Alongside housing secretary Angela Rayner, Starmer announced that the revised National Planning Policy Framework will set area-specific targets and, for the first time, define the “grey belt.”
These measures aim to deliver on the government’s commitment to construct 1.5 million homes during the next parliamentary term.
The Prime Minister said: “For too long, hardworking people have been denied the stability of homeownership.
“With a generation facing a distant dream of owning a home and homelessness at record levels, the crisis cannot be ignored.
“Our Plan for Change will prioritise builders over blockers, fix the broken planning system, provide homes for working families, and foster economic growth that benefits everyone.”
