Its high time they updated the antique licencing hours that were introduced during WWII. By closing at 11pm (in England) you are encouraging people to binge drink, whereas those places with slightly more flexible hours (Scotland) have a slightly reduced problem. I am not saying that is the only answer, because there are many socio-economic issues at play as well as peer pressure, stressful lifestyle/job etc etc. But increasing the permitted drinking age is only going to encourage further underage drinking.
grazz