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 rapid alcohol delivery services on the level of alcohol dependency and alcohol-related harm; and whether she plans to review existing licensing and age-verification regulations to access such services.

The Licensing Act 2003 regulates the sale and supply of alcohol. The Government recognises that consumer purchasing habits have evolved in recent years, particularly with a notable growth in alcohol sales made via online platforms and rapid delivery services.

The Department for Health and Social Care, which has responsibility for policy on health harms, and the Home Office are looking at how current licensing rules apply to these services and monitoring emerging evidence on the impact they may be having on people’s health. I am clear that we will act where necessary to protect public safety.

To this end, I will shortly hold a roundtable jointly with the Minister for Public Health and Prevention to consider solutions with healthcare professionals and experts in the field.