Gov launches review of licensing rules to modernise system

The Government has opened a call for evidence on proposed reforms to England’s licensing system, following recommendations from the Licensing Taskforce.

Trade body UKHospitality, which sat on the taskforce, said the changes could help modernise the system and support growth but cautioned that further action is needed to tackle rising business costs.

The proposals include the creation of a National Licensing Policy Framework and a licensing condition amnesty aimed at simplifying compliance for operators. Businesses have been urged to respond to the consultation, which closes on 6 November.

UKHospitality chair Kate Nicholls said the proposed reforms were an important step toward a more effective licensing regime. She said: “Moving to a new and improved licensing system that works for modern hospitality businesses is critical, and I’m pleased the Government is acting swiftly on the recommendations of the Licensing Taskforce.

“The taskforce, steered by UKHospitality and other industry leaders, resolved to recapture the original intent of the Licensing Act to encourage growth and meet consumer needs. The measures we’ve put forward and now taken on by the Government, including the National Licensing Policy Framework and licensing condition amnesty, help to achieve that goal.”

Nicholls added that the sector should “support these measures” to ensure they are implemented but stressed that the reforms will not resolve the wider financial pressures facing hospitality firms.

She said: “These changes are absolutely not a silver bullet to solve the existential cost challenges hospitality businesses are facing. While we have grasped this once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernise the licensing system, we continue to campaign vociferously for material change to reduce the sector’s cost burden at the Budget.

“Hospitality is being taxed out, and we need the Government to lower business rates, fix NICs and cut VAT to reverse the damage done by last year’s Budget, which has so far seen 84,000 hospitality jobs lost.”

The call for evidence forms part of a wider effort by the Government to simplify business regulation and stimulate economic growth.