Helping out small brewers

John Grogan, in his otherwise excellent column on 9 October, suggests that the Small Breweries' Duty Relief will be extended to larger breweries next year. Let me set the record straight. As a Yorkshire MP and a beer drinker myself, I am keenly aware of the benefits the Small Breweries' Relief scheme is already bringing to our smallest breweries who need it most. One local brewer told me recently that the duty relief had enabled his business to survive and expand. Others are telling a similar story, so John is right that this initiative has been widely praised by the small brewery industry. Now the Chancellor wants to be sure that those who we intended to help are benefiting from the relief, and to see if any improvement can be made. Our "call for evidence" was issued by Customs and Excise in July, and views are being sought from all breweries, not just those who receive the duty relief. We will listen to all the views expressed and look thoroughly at the evidence. However, we must not lose sight of the original reasons for the relief ­ the need to support those small breweries who make up the often overlooked majority of British brewers. This is already one of the most generous and best-targeted duty relief schemes in Europe. No decisions have yet been made on changes to the scheme, and we will look at all options for the next Budget. However, we will not want to make changes to the scheme which would harm those smallest breweries it was originally intend to help. John Healey Economic Secretary to the Treasury and Minister responsible for Customs and Excise Too early for good practice I am writing in relation to Peter Coulson's article entitled "Good Practice Guide would simplify reform" which appeared in the Morning Advertiser on 9 October 2003. LACORS (Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Ser-vices) was created by the UK local government associations in 1978 and is funded by the Local Government Association (LGA) to coordinate the enforcement activities of a portfolio of local authority services including trading standards, food safety, health and safety at work and licensing. The organisation assists local authorities to work more effectively on a UK-wide basis by sharing good practice, providing guidance and representing local government. In terms of licensing, LACORS' objective is to coordinate, support and promote local authority licensing in a high quality and consistent manner. LACORS will be issuing good practice documents as the demand and need arises. However, at present, in Peter Coulson's own words, with legislation that "is not yet fully formed", it is impossible to develop good practice guidance when full details are not yet known of the legislation. Neither local authorities nor the trade have had any experience of the Act so it is impossible to tell what constitutes good practice. There are likely to be several guidance documents issued by LACORS as the legislative requirements become clearer relating to a wide range of issues and not just one "Good Practice Guide". However, our organisation has already issued a considerable amount of advice and guidance to local authorities in preparation for implementation of the Licensing Act. This includes approximately 100 e-mails in the last year direct to licensing specialists in every local authority in England and Wales. In addition LACORS has already issued a Licensing Policy framework and associated guidance and advice on writing the policy and consultation. Draft Licensing Policies are currently available on the LACORS website and as examples of good practice relating to the Act are developed they will also be displayed on the website. LACORS spends a lot of time liaising and working in conjunction with the trade, for example the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), the Laurel Pub Group and the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS). On 8 October 2003, LACORS policy officers gave a presentation to the ACS Off-Licence Forum to present the work the body is doing and discuss mutual concerns and objectives. As a result of this, LACORS is taking up several issues relating to concerns raised by the Association. Further talks with the BII and BBPA have highlighted both concerns surrounding implementation of the Act and in particular policies, but also examples of good licensing policies which LACORS can share with other authorities. Engaging with stakeholders is a fundamental part of LACORS success, and our organisation will continue to liaise with local authorities and the trade to ensure the smooth implementation of the Licensing Act 2003. Derek Allen Executive Director LACORS