The levelling up secretary has defended Rish Sunak's focus on banning the sale of laughing gas, saying the proposals would stop parks being turned into drug-taking arenas. The ban is part of the government’s antisocial behaviour plans which are to be unveiled on Monday. 'If you walk through any urban park you will see these little silver canisters which are the evidence of people regarding public spaces as arenas for drug taking,' he told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme. He accepted that ministers had been advised against a ban, but said they had taken a different view

Michael Gove defends government plan to ban laughing gas