[user104658]

Meh. In my experience people budget their pub spend and stick to it, and Britain has a longstanding issue with people drinking far, far too much. There's an easy way to have your pub trip cost less. Drink less.

I know that sounds over-simplistic but IMO not when it's hand in hand with the other point that the UK has a bad relationship with the volume of alcohol consumed. Have 3 drinks instead of 6. Maybe people will learn how to socialise without needing to be drunk.