‘It is British life’: No 10 vows to stop councils trying to limit standing in pubs

The prime minister, Andy Burnham, and the chancellor, John Healey, at a London pub in July. Photograph: Richard Pohle/AFP/Getty Images

No 10 has vowed to confiscate powers from local councils which try to restrict customers from standing up while drinking in pubs or ordering at the bar.

It comes after the Guardian revealed on Thursday that Westminster council in central London recommended not allowing “vertical drinking” or ordering at the bar in its new draft licensing policy.