Home Office minister says re-balancing Licensing Act is a "key priority"

A Home Office minister has suggested that re-balancing the Licensing Act 2003 is a “key priority” for the coalition government, The Publican has reported.

Speaking at a Parliamentary reception last week, James Brokenshire, the crime prevention minister, also backed the Best Bar None awards scheme as “an example of the Big Society working in practice, as it is focused on addressing local issues”.

The scheme is intended to recognise those pubs and clubs that are run responsibly and in partnership with the police and councils.

Brokenshire said: “It is clear the public do not want to see scenes of disorder on the streets, but equally they do not want policing the night-time economy to detract from other areas.”

The government has been looking at giving councils the right to force bars and pubs that stay open after 11 pm to pay a “law and order” levy, and is planning a crackdown on underage sales.

Lord Redesdale, chairman of the BBN network, said at the event that the industry did not need any more red tape, The Publican also reported.

He added that politicians had an “urge” to force regulation on the drinks industry, and the BBN scheme was “better than all the regulation that was introduced in the Licensing Act”.