edit: context:
From The Independent:
Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, public health minister Andrew Gwynne said the government is considering “tightening up the hours of operation” of bars and pubs as part of an attempt to improve health and combat anti-social behaviour.
But a Department for Health spokesman said: “This is categorically untrue.”
So either the minister or the spokesperson is wrong. Very helpful of them.
He's a junior minister in charge of public health and prevention. If the Department of Health say they aren't doing it then they likely aren't - it's within his remit to consider such options, amongst other things, but it isn't policy.
Seems like another messaging blunder - they need to sort that out ASAP as it is just handing free ammunition to the Tory press.