Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of longer closure orders on (a) lawful businesses operating from shared premises, (b) residential occupants and(c) landlords and leaseholders; whether she has received legal advice on proportionality and human rights compatibility; and if she will publish any Equality Impact and human rights assessment prepared in relation to the proposals.

The Home Office is currently consulting on increasing the duration of closure orders to strengthen the response to high street illegality. The proliferation of illicit businesses is undercutting legitimate businesses and in some cases, forcing them off the high street due to their inability to compete.

As part of the consultation, the Home Office is seeking views from a wide range of stakeholders on the potential impact of increasing the duration of closure orders.

The consultation will close at the end of July and the responses will inform all appropriate assessments ahead of the regulations being drafted and laid alongside the necessary supporting documents.