Tessa Jowell's Culture Department has been criticised over its handling of the introduction of 24-hour drinking laws last year.
A cross-party committee of MPs said pub landlords, councils and residents were put under unnecessary stress because of late guidance, inconsistent advice and unclear information.
Committee chair Phyllis Starkey said the department's approach was "completely unacceptable".
The Licensing Act passed in 2003 heralded a massive overhaul of the regulations for public entertainment and drinking.
But the committee report said it was almost two years before guidance on how the measures would be implemented was published.
Landlords were then given just six months to apply for new licences, while councils had only two more to decide whether to grant them.
The "unrealistic" timescale meant some licenses were deemed to be granted without being examined, the report said.
The committee warned there must be no repeat of the failings when changes to gambling licenses are introduced.
Cllr Justin Tomlinson, "Time and time again, Labour bungle major projects causing unnecessary stress and costs. The only silver lining was that in an attempt to avoid a politically embarrassing jump in anti-social behaviour the Government freed up police officers for a 3 month blitz, finally understanding the blindingly obvious that if you release police officers from the left wing, politically correct form filling and put them on the streets, you will tackle crime. If only Labour would let the police get on with their jobs all year round - no wonder local residents don't trust Labour on crime."
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Justin Tomlinson Conservative MP for North Swindon |
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Robert Buckland Conservative MP for South Swindon |
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