Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the guidance about smoke-free pavement licences to Manchester City Council from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government was agreed with the Department of Health and Social Care.

The Government is committed to protecting hospitality businesses impacted by the pandemic. It was for this reason that we introduced the Pavement Licence provisions in the Business and Planning Act 2020, supporting businesses by removing red tape and making it easier, faster and cheaper to serve customers outdoors. The Pavement Licence Guidance that was published on 22nd July alongside the Act was cleared with the Department of Health and Social Care. This guidance has not changed. It sets out detail on how local authorities can issue pavement licences to support businesses, including those in the hard hit hospitality sector, to return to work safely and continue serving their local communities.