Late-night levy: Lib Dem MP John Thurso raises concerns about how money could be spent

A Lib Dem MP, who is a former Lord, has raised concerns over how the money raised by a late-night levy could be used.

Speaking at the Business In Sport and Leisure (BISL) conference in London last week, John Thurso said that he disagrees with a levy “that simply becomes a way of raising money”.

He said: “I have always worried about this (late-night levy)... I agree with the concept of giving local authorities a power to use, provided it is properly and democratically exercised and scrutinised.

“I disagree with any levy or tax that is put out there that simply becomes a way of raising money because there isn’t enough money in the system elsewhere. It’s great if it’s actually doing what it says on the tin, what worries me is not so much that it exists but it will become rapidly a way of raising money rather than a way of paying for the service that it is supposed to cover.”

He added: “I think what we’re best at in Parliament is a law of unintended consequences. I think one of the things we do need to do is go back and say, ‘have we got it right? Do these work?”

Thurso also called for minister for leisure in the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.

However, Simon Kirby MP for Kemptown and Peacehaven spoke in favour of the late-night levy. “I don’t think, conceptually, the idea of a late-night levy is a bad thing where there are businesses making additional profits by trading into the early hours,” he said.

“Statistically, people who are out later into the night are known more likely to be causing trouble. It doesn’t mean that everyone causes trouble, or that venues are irresponsible. It is a fact that more policing is required in town centres.

“I don’t think that it is unreasonable for those businesses to pay their fair share.”