Government vows to slash licensing red tape

The government has promised to cut red tape around licensing this year, in response to an MP-led inquiry into community pubs.

Minor variations to a licence should become easier from this summer if Parliament agrees to the changes, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said.

Licensing Minister Gerry Sutcliffe also said that "firm proposals" to make the licensing system work better would be introduced as part of a consultation this summer.

This will include looking at extending the seven-day deadline for transferring a premises licence into someone else's name, following the death of a licence holder.

Other plans include: making it easier to make electronic applications and providing a single point of contact for applications.

The DCMS said it would also consider offering rate relief to pubs in urban areas.

The pledges have been highlighted by the DCMS as part of a response to the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group's two-year inquiry into the future of community pubs.

Sutcliffe said his department was able to "accept in full, part or the intent of 23 of the 31 recommendations".

"I firmly believe the community pub does have a positive future," he added.

But in reality, only four recommendations are being acted on - and these include already confirmed plans, such as raising the stake and prizes for AWP machines.

The response confirms the government has decided against minimum pricing, but will look for more evidence on the proposal.

The DCMS also restates the government's position on duty, saying that EU law stops it from giving special tax treatment to cask beer.

On overall duty levels, the response says the Chancellor "does not take such decisions lightly".

It adds: "The additional revenue raised from the increase in alcohol duty announced in the Budget will make a vital contribution to public finances".

On the issue around Sky, Sutcliffe is meeting with the satellite broadcaster next month "to consider whether they can do more for smaller pubs".

And on the smoking ban, the DCMS pointed to a review of the law next year. "The pub sector will be able to contribute their thoughts around how they believe the law is functioning at that stage," it said.

No mention was made of issues around the beer tie in the Beer Group's report, which sparked criticism from anti-pubco figures.