The Coalition has hailed late night levies as a way to pay for security, cleaning and other services required for the late-night economy; the sector however has responded by claiming the charge further hurts already struggling businesses.
The new Home Office Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker, pictured, has visited Newcastle to discuss the city council’s introduction of the late night levy. Newcastle is the first local authority in England and Wales to bring in this power, which allows councils to collect what the Home Office terms a ‘contribution’ from businesses selling alcohol towards the cost of late-night policing. Under the scheme, licensed premises selling alcohol between midnight and 6am have to pay an annual amount to help offset the cost to the taxpayer of the late night clean-up.
Norman Baker said: “The coalition government is taking a wide range of action to tackle alcohol-related crime and disorder. This includes introducing a ban on the worst cases of very cheap and harmful alcohol sales. We have given local areas the power to restrict the sale of alcohol in the early hours and ensure those who profit from a late night licence help pay towards the costs of policing.
“I’d like to congratulate Newcastle City Council on being the first authority to introduce a late night levy. Alcohol-fuelled crime costs around £11 billion a year in England and Wales and this is clearly an unacceptable burden. Alcohol, if misused, can cause real harm. I shall be challenging the drinks industry to play a greater role in tackling this.”
However Milton Keynes council has voted against such a levy. Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), called it very good news. She said: “It is clear that the message on partnership working, and avoiding damage to jobs and their town centre businesses, is having an impact. It is good to see local councils listening to the representations of the BBPA and others, especially local businesses.”
The levy was introduced last year and authorities must consult locally before introducing it. Newcastle’s levy started on November 1 and according to the Home Office a number of other councils are expected to follow their example.
Councillor Linda Hobson, Chair of Safe Newcastle, said: “We are grateful to the minister for finding the time to come and talk to us about the late night levy we’ve introduced in Newcastle. We consulted widely with the licensed trade and we will monitor its effects very closely. It will help to keep the night-time economy in Newcastle vibrant, but more importantly make it an even safer city, which is extremely important to the public and the licensees.”
Meanwhile pub and club groups, including the British Beer & Pub Association, BII and Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, have called upon the Government to retain personal licences in a joint letter to Norman Baker.
Government proposals to replace the national system with the option for local authorities to impose training conditions on individual licences. According to the pub trade this will lead to inconsistency, with companies working across local authorities challenged to keep track of where training conditions apply. There is also the risk according to the trade associations of increased reviews of licences to impose training conditions, which will lead to extra costs to businesses.
In the letter, signed by trade associations across leisure, hospitality and tourism, the group supports the coherence and qualification-based system behind personal licences, alongside the practical benefits of the criminal check system. The status of the personal licence holder in terms of position and recognition of personal investment in training is also highlighted, with the group warning against the ‘gold-plating’ of the designated premises supervisor.
Tim Hulme, Chief Executive of the BII, says: “Whilst the BII welcome attempts to reduce red-tape, the proposals in the consultation further undermine the professionalism of our industry at a time when we firmly believe society should be demanding us to promote even higher standards and to plot a pathway to better compliance and greater standards of regulation.”
Brigid Simmonds OBE, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, says: “Government intentions to deregulate are very much welcomed. However, the potential for increased regulation at a local level removes any gains.
“Personal licences work well, set a national standard which is supported by local authorities and the police and have many benefits for the industry. There are many other reductions in red tape which industry have proposed, but not this one. Personal Licences are important for the reputation of the industry and should stay as a nationally recognised qualification.”
And Kate Nicholls, Strategic Affairs Director of the ALMR, adds: “The system of personal licences underpins professional qualifications and investment in training in the sector, with the majority of companies having multiple personal licence holders on site to ensure a single qualified point of authority across all shifts.
“Removing it would be a retrograde step and a recipe for additional red tape and bureaucracy at a local level as councils set their own requirements for training for different types of business.”
