Ministers are sticking by their earlier decision to allow local authorities to increase the age at which teenagers can buy alcohol from 16 to 18 if they have a problem with juvenile drunks, despite MPs’ objections.

MPs say the move will lead to alcohol tourism, with teenagers crossing into neighbouring villages to buy beer.
The plan is one of a number of measures the cabinet is introducing in an effort to cut the teen drinking rate. Dutch teenagers are among the heaviest drinkers in Europe.