Pub landlords are warning Labour plans to lower the drink-drive limit will be another blow to the industry already struggling under the weight of rising costs. Drivers could be limited to one pint or less under the proposals set to be unveiled later.

Alongside Malta, England, Wales and Northern Ireland currently have the highest drink-drive limit in Europe — 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. However, this could be reduced to 22 micrograms in England and Wales under the plans by ministers which are set to be consulted. The move would bring the nations in line with Scotland which cut its drink-drive limit in 2014.

The power to reduce the threshold in Northern Ireland is devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Rural pubs will be hit hardest by the plans, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) trade body has warned.

The BBPA urged the Government to ensure changes are “proportionate and evidence-based” to avoid an impact on struggling pubs.

A spokesperson insisted the pub sector is “committed to actively promoting responsible drinking through its investment in no and low beer and support of drink-drive campaigns”, and pointed to a decline in alcohol-related driving accidents in recent Government data.

It also warned that the pub sector “continues to face huge challenges”, adding: “So any additional policy measures that further impact trade will be of real concern to licensees, especially those in rural areas.”

Some pubs across the country have banned Labour MPs amid concerns about the end of a COVID-era business rates relief announced by Rachel Reeves at the budget in November.

The establishments are also being squeezed by rising costs as a result of increases to the national minimum wage and employer National Insurance contributions.

In 2025, an average of one pub a day closed in England and Wales.

Christopher Snowdon, from the the Institute of Economic Affairs think tank, said changes to the drink-drive limit could have minimal impact, while placing pubs under further strain.

He told The Sun: “After the limit was cut in Scotland in 2014, there was no reduction in road accidents.

“It is easy to see why. Drink-driving accidents typically involve people who are well over the limit who will only be deterred by proper enforcement of the law, not by tinkering with the existing limit.

“Once again, the Government is persecuting the sensible majority and pursuing its vendetta against the pub trade. Can’t it find something worthwhile to do?”

Cutting the drink-drive limit is among Government plans in response to “stalled” progress on road safety.

The road safety strategy also proposes to require some convicted drink-drivers to have alcolocks fitted to their vehicles, and new powers to suspend driving licences for people suspected of drink or drug-driving offences.

Other planned measures to be consulted on include introducing mandatory sight tests once drivers reach 70, a minimum learning period for new drivers, and a crackdown on uninsured drivers and illegal number plates.

The strategy – which is the first of its kind in more than a decade – aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by 65% by 2035, and by 70% for children under 16.

The Department for Transport said 22 European nations have made “more progress than the UK” in reducing road crash deaths”.

The number of people killed on Britain’s roads has generally declined since the 1970s but the decrease has slowed from 2010.

There were 7,763 road deaths in 1972, 1,850 in 2010 and 1,602 in 2024.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy that devastates families and communities.

“For too long, progress on road safety has stalled. This strategy marks a turning point.

“We are taking decisive action to make our roads safer for everyone, from new drivers taking their first lessons to older motorists wanting to maintain their independence.

“The measures we are announcing today will save thousands of lives over the coming decade.”