The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (James Brokenshire)
Today, alongside the publication of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill, we are publishing the Government’s response to the Rebalancing the Licensing Act consultation which was conducted earlier this year and includes the full analysis of consultation responses. Our response sets out which proposals we will be taking forward from the consultation document, and how; explains why we have decided not to proceed with some proposals; and outlines new proposals that we have introduced in response to suggestions received during the consultation.
The Government believe that local communities should have a greater role in determining local licensing. The package of measures that we are introducing through the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill and the additional changes we will make through secondary legislation and guidance will rebalance the Licensing Act in favour of local communities, ensuring that local residents’ views and concerns are heard and considered and they get the type of night-time economy they want.
The measures being introduced will also provide the police and licensing authorities with the tools they need to more effectively address alcohol-related crime and disorder in the night-time economy. Tackling alcohol-related crime and disorder is not something that can just be done centrally. These measures will enable issues to be addressed at a local level, with local communities taking greater responsibility for tackling problems in their own areas.
The full Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill is today being published on the Parliament website: http://services.parliament.uk/bills/. The Government response to the Rebalancing the Licensing Act consultation will be available on the Home Office website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/drugs/alcohol/rebalancing-consultation and copies will be placed in the House Library.