House of Lords raises concerns over reform bill details

The House of Lords has welcomed the decision to allow pubs to open longer but has raised grave concerns over details in the Licensing Bill.

On the whole, the Lords welcomed the decision to reform the antiquated licensing laws during the second reading of the bill this month.

They said it would help boost the industry, create jobs and make Britain more attractive to tourists.

But although they welcomed the bill in theory, many said they were unsure that it would work in practice. It was argued the government's aims of reducing crime and disorder and binge-drinking among the young wouldn't be met.

Other worries were also raised. Baroness Peta Buscombe said: "We fear that, in practice, the new system may lead to higher costs and more regulation rather than the reverse.

"In addition, we fear that a one-year transitional period for implementing the new system is insufficient to manage the process of change."

The concerns expressed during the reading are outlined below.

Baroness Tessa Blackstone, the minister responsible for the Licensing Bill in the House of Lords, will now ascertain which areas of the bill are likely to be amended. The bill will be presented to the Committee stage on December 12. This is the first point that amendments to the bill can be made.

Licensing Bill concerns raised in the House of Lords:​

• a lack of transport to cater for a later night-time economy
• local authority fees, whether they are set nationally or locally
• whether the concerns of local residents will be looked after
• if local authorities will be given the powers to consider the impact of licensed premises on local communities
• whether longer hours will reduce or add to binge-drinking
• whether the bill actually simplifies the licensing system.