Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to encourage local authorities to use the powers available to them under the Licensing Act 2003 to take action based on public health grounds during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Government believes that the best approach is to take action against all businesses that fail to operate in a COVID-secure way, not just those that are licensed.

A licensing authority must carry out its functions under the Licensing Act 2003 with a view to promoting four licensing objectives, which are the prevention of crime and disorder, the prevention of public nuisance, public safety and the protection of children. Public health is not one of the four objectives and the Government cannot encourage licensing authorities to take action on those grounds.