Licensing powers could move to the Home Office
The coalition government has unveiled new ministers for tourism and sport at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), but it remains unclear which one will be in charge of licensing, if any.
John Penrose MP has been confirmed as minister for tourism, while Hugh Robertson is minister for sport and the Olympics. Ed Vaizey takes up the role of minster for culture. All three are Conservatives.
In the previous Labour administration, sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe was also in charge of licensing.
A spokeswoman for the DCMS was unable to confirm whether a further announcement would be made today.
The news will fuel rumours that the licensing brief will be handed over to the Home Office, under the new government.
No announcement has been made by the Home Office as to whether this will be the case.
