Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help reduce the number of nightclub closures.

We recognise the important role night-time economy business plays in supporting local economies and communities. Healthy night-time economy businesses not only support our creative industries, including musicians, DJs and performance artists, but also support tourism and bolster day economy businesses.

The Government is creating a fairer business rate system, reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products and transforming the apprenticeship levy to support business and boost opportunities. All of these measures have been consistently demanded by the sector.

This work will be supported by the publication of The Small Business Strategy Command Paper next year.