Government pledges to block council restrictions on standing in pubs

The UK government has said it will stop local councils from restricting how people drink in pubs. The move follows a draft policy from Westminster council in central London. The council suggested that new pubs should only offer table service, so customers could not order drinks at the bar. It also recommended a 10pm last orders rule for pubs in busy areas like Soho, to reduce noise at night. The policy is currently open for public feedback. A spokesperson for Downing Street said that busy pubs full of people talking is part of British life and supports thousands of jobs. The government has promised to take away councils' power to introduce these kinds of rules.