New minister hails the Act a success

The new licensing minister has hailed the Licensing Act as a success in helping tackle alcohol-related disorder.

In an exclusive question and answer session with The Publican, Shaun Woodward MP said the new regime had meant "no discernible increase in alcohol-related crime and disorder since November".

He also praised the police and local authorities for using the new powers to tackle violence. But Mr Woodward added there were areas for improvement. "I hope to look at those over the coming months," he said.

Mr Woodward's comments were also echoed by the Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell during a debate in the House of Commons last week.

But despite the government's upbeat stance on the new Act, the Liberal Democrats hit out at the way the licensing system is being run. Don Foster MP, the Lib Dems shadow culture secretary, told MPs the changeover had been a "bureaucratic nightmare".

During the debate Mr Foster referred to The Publican's front-page report last week revealing that thousands of pubs were still waiting for their premises licences.

"Only today we have heard reports that up to one in six public houses may be trading illegally because they are still awaiting the licence for their premises," he declared.

And in a poll on thepublican.com this week, more than a third of licensees said they were still waiting for their premises licence to be issued.

However, when quizzed by The Publican, Mr Woodward, who took over from James Purnell as licensing minister last month, said: "Feedback from local authorities suggests that the vast majority of licences have now been issued.

"The question of whether a premises could be prosecuted for operating without having been issued with a licence is a matter for local enforcement authorities, but I expect common sense to prevail."

Mr Woodward promised to look at ways of reducing indirect costs and red tape for licensees, in relation to the Act.

The government is still looking at setting a single annual renewal date for all licence holders regardless of when they apply for a licence, he added.

The Lib Dems welcomed action by the government on the new regime. "It is time that the Secretary of State took measures to clean up the licensing system and help hard-working licensees," Mr Foster said.