This morning, Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces his first Prime Minister’s Questions of 2026. International tensions loom large, particularly surrounding Donald Trump’s escalating threats regarding Greenland annexation, which could destabilize NATO. However, the government is also advancing its domestic legislative agenda despite these global challenges.
Road safety has emerged as a key policy priority today. The Department for Transport is unveiling a comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing fatalities and serious injuries on British roads by 65% within the next decade by 2035. While many proposals will undergo consultation and potential revision, the strategy contains several substantive initiatives designed to improve overall road conditions.
Among the most contentious proposals is a reduction in the legal drink-driving threshold for England and Wales. The current limit, unchanged since 1967, remains the highest in Europe at 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. Officials are considering lowering this to 22 micrograms, matching Scotland’s standard since 2014. Conservative media outlets have characterized this as potentially damaging to rural pubs.
Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood has pushed back against suggestions that stricter limits would harm the pub industry. Evidence from Scottish research institutions demonstrates no significant trade decline following that nation’s 2014 threshold reduction. Greenwood emphasized that policy decisions were grounded in expert evidence and international best practices rather than speculation about economic consequences.
The minister stressed that reduced limits need not eliminate pub visits. She outlined practical alternatives including designated drivers, public transportation, and low-alcohol beverage options now widely available from major brands. The government’s objective remains supporting social activities while prioritizing road safety through informed, evidence-based regulations rather than restricting individual choice.
