Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the Government will bring forward legislative proposals to introduce a cap on (a) the number of premises licensed to sell alcohol and (b) the opening hours of those premises.

The Government believes the Licensing Act 2003 sets out a clear and effective legislative framework to regulate licensable activities and strikes the right balance between providing safeguards to prevent nuisance, crime and disorder, while recognising the contribution licensed premises make to thriving night time economies.

The Licensing Act includes several powers that a Local Authority may use to manage the night time economy. For example, a licensing authority may complete a cumulative impact assessment to help it to limit licences granted in areas where there is evidence to show that the number or density of licensed premises in the area may be contributing to problems that are undermining licensing objectives.

There is also the option to consult on introducing a late night levy - this is an optional power used at the discretion of the local authority, to collect a financial contribution from businesses that profit from selling alcohol late at night, with the funds raised to be used for late night policing and other costs associated with the night time economy.