Date confirmed for results of Lords licensing review

By Liam Coleman

- Last updated on GMT

Review: the Lords are set to publish their conclusions from a 10-month enquiry
Review: the Lords are set to publish their conclusions from a 10-month enquiry

Related tags Critical thinking House of lords

The House of Lords will announce the findings of its inquiry into the 2003 Licensing Act next Tuesday (4 April).

The 10-month enquiry into the effectiveness of the Act, which came into force in 2005, saw the Government, police, pub industry leaders and trade bodies give evidence on what has and hasn’t proved effective in the 11 years since the Act came into force.

In the enquiry evidence sessions health experts called for a greater distinction between the on- and off-trade​s, a police representative called for alcohol to be labelled with health risks​, and late-night operators called for an agent-of-change principle​.

There is no guarantee that any changes recommended by the Lords will be included in the Act as the review is advisory. However, the report will make “radical suggestions for change”, a House of Lords spokesperson said.

Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers chief executive Kate Nicholls said that while the Act had been “a catalyst for innovation” the review​ would need to make sure that new controls and powers for licensing authorities, such as the late-night levy, did not undermine the original purposes of the Act.

British Beer & Pub Association chief executive Brigid Simmonds has said that a reduction in the cost and burden of licensing enforcement would benefit the pub industry. 

Related topics Licensing law

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