House of Lords Debate

Will 2018 bring further changes to the licensing system? Prior to Christmas the House of Lords undertook a debate arising from the 'The Licensing Act 2003: post-legislative scrutiny' published by them in April of this year and the Government’s response which was published late last year.  Baroness MacIntosh of Pickering who led the select Committee welcomed the ability to challenge Ministers on their comments and again raised the perceived disconnect between licensing and planning.

Perhaps of more note was that during the debate the Government pledged to look at Building Development Districts as an alternative to late night levies (see article on their success here).

The debate also considered preloading, new duty bands for higher ABV products and the agent of change principle.