The prime minister has said that recent changes in licensing laws, such as 24-hour opening could be reversed if it was found to be beneficial.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Gordon Brown said that he would "not hesitate" to overturn policies if he feels changes needed to be made and said that 24-hour licensing was an issue.

"That's why we are reviewing it. Where there are things that are wrong and where mistakes have been made, we will look at these and we will change these things," he said.

Mr Brown said that policy changes that have been made in relation to casinos and the classification of cannabis could be reviewed and such a move would send a message to the public.

"If it needs a reversal of policy, we will do it. Just as with gambling, we will review all the evidence and if a change needs to be made, I will not hesitate to make a change in the interests of the country," he added.

Earlier this year the British Beer and Pub Association said that very little had changed since the introduction of new licensing laws and that most pubs had made only slight alterations to opening hours.

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