Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of hospitality venues serving alcohol on a high street on trends in the level of safety on those streets.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government is committed to reducing alcohol-related crime. We are focused on establishing effective partnerships between the police, local authorities, local partnership schemes and businesses to take effective action against alcohol-related crime and harms in the night time economy.
Consideration of the possible impact on local levels of crime of a high density of shops selling alcohol is a matter for local licensing authorities. Under section 76 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, the police and councils have the power to issue a closure notice if there are grounds to believe that the use of a particular premises has resulted or is likely to result in nuisance to members of the public or disorder near the premises.
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.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the level of demand placed on police forces created by city centres with a high volume of night time economy venues.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government is committed to reducing alcohol-related crime. We are focused on establishing effective partnerships between the police, local authorities, local partnership schemes and businesses to take effective action against alcohol-related crime and harms in the night time economy.
Consideration of the possible impact on local levels of crime of a high density of shops selling alcohol is a matter for local licensing authorities. Under section 76 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, the police and councils have the power to issue a closure notice if there are grounds to believe that the use of a particular premises has resulted or is likely to result in nuisance to members of the public or disorder near the premises.
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.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help ensure that areas with a significant night time economy have adequate levels of policing.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government is committed to reducing alcohol-related crime. We are focused on establishing effective partnerships between the police, local authorities, local partnership schemes and businesses to take effective action against alcohol-related crime and harms in the night time economy.
Consideration of the possible impact on local levels of crime of a high density of shops selling alcohol is a matter for local licensing authorities. Under section 76 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, the police and councils have the power to issue a closure notice if there are grounds to believe that the use of a particular premises has resulted or is likely to result in nuisance to members of the public or disorder near the premises.
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.
Asked by: Fleur Anderson (Labour - Putney)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent steps the Government has taken to support the night-time economy.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
In the past, the Government has taken unprecedented action to support the hospitality industry. Autumn Statement delivers further on our support for the sector.
The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) Relief has been extended and increased from 50% to 75% in 2023-24 – a relief of up to £110k per business. This means around 230,000 properties in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will receive a tax cut worth almost £2.1 billion in 2023-24.
We are freezing the business rates multiplier in 2023-24 instead of increasing in line with inflation. Businesses in the hospitality and retail sectors will also benefit from the Energy Price Guarantee until April 2023. In addition, the April increase to the Employment Allowance from £4,000 to £5,000, means that any businesses with employer NICs bills of £100,000 or less in the previous tax year can claim up to £5,000 off their NICs bill.
All of which means that the Government is exceeding stakeholder expectations for further support for retail and hospitality and to protect businesses such as pubs, cafes, and nightclubs.
Asked by: Alison McGovern (Labour - Wirral South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of night-time public transport on the night-time economy.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
We have been clear through the National Bus Strategy that partnerships and franchising arrangements must deliver more comprehensive services, including those which are socially or economically necessary. As part of the Strategy the Government plans to issue new guidance on ‘socially necessary’ services, expanding the category to include ‘economically necessary’ services such as those supporting the night time economy.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what additional support her Department recommends local police forces provide to ensure that women can access high quality support during the night time economy in their locality.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
This Government is committed to protecting all victims of violence against women and girls (VAWG) and is working in partnership with police forces across England and Wales to keep victims safe.
Since October 2021, £30 million has been invested for projects with a focus on protecting women in their communities through Round Three of the Safer Streets Fund and the pilot Safety of Women at Night Fund.
An additional £50 million for 111 projects has been invested through Round Four of the Safer Streets Fund, which has a focus on tackling violence against women and girls in public places, as well as neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour.
To support delivery of our commitments set out in the Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, we have supported the introduction of a full-time National Policing Lead for Violence Against Women and Girls, DCC Maggie Blyth, who has been in post since November 2021 and has been working closely with Government to coordinate the policing response to VAWG crimes.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has beyond sobriety tagging to tackle alcohol consumption in the context of the link between alcohol consumption and violent crime.
Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)
The Government is committed to reducing alcohol-related crime and ensuring that swift action is taken to tackle alcohol-related offending. We have given powers to relevant authorities to tackle alcohol-related crime and harms. For example, we have placed cumulative impact policies on a statutory footing and have given new powers to immigration officers to tackle illegal working in licensed premises.
The Government recognises that alcohol continues to be one of the six main drivers of crime in the United Kingdom. We have focused on improving local intelligence, establishing effective partnerships and equipping the police and local authorities with the right powers to take effective action against alcohol related-crime and harms in the night-time economy. The Government continues to work closely with partners to tackle alcohol related crime.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will take steps to ensure that people are aware of how they can access help in the event that they feel unsafe in a local area at nights or in the evening.
Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)
We are delivering on the people’s priorities to cut crime and make our communities safe. The Safer Streets Fund provides local areas with the resources they need to prevent crime and improve safety in high crime locations across England and Wales. Since 2020, three Rounds of the Fund have completed, worth £70 million in Government investment. These rounds have focused on reducing neighbourhood crimes, such as burglary and robbery, and preventing violence against women and girls in public through interventions such as improved street lighting and home security, as well as education and training initiatives. The Fund has included funding for street pastors and similar guardianship initiatives.
The Safety of Women at Night (SWaN) Fund also ran over the 2021/22 financial year and was focused on improving women’s safety in the night time economy, including through awareness raising initiatives, creating safe spaces, and targeting perpetrator behaviour. The SWaN and all rounds of the Safer Streets Fund are subject to independent evaluation to assess impact.
This Government has committed £50 million a year to the Safer Streets Fund for the next three years. A fourth round of the Fund launched in March, open to Police and Crime Commissioners, local authorities, the British Transport Police, and eligible civil society organisations. This round focuses on improving the safety of women and girls in public, including in the night-time economy, as well as tackling neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with relevant stakeholders on creating safe spaces in town and city centres for women and other vulnerable people to visit in the evening or at night.
Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)
We are delivering on the people’s priorities to cut crime and make our communities safe. The Safer Streets Fund provides local areas with the resources they need to prevent crime and improve safety in high crime locations across England and Wales. Since 2020, three Rounds of the Fund have completed, worth £70 million in Government investment. These rounds have focused on reducing neighbourhood crimes, such as burglary and robbery, and preventing violence against women and girls in public through interventions such as improved street lighting and home security, as well as education and training initiatives. The Fund has included funding for street pastors and similar guardianship initiatives.
The Safety of Women at Night (SWaN) Fund also ran over the 2021/22 financial year and was focused on improving women’s safety in the night time economy, including through awareness raising initiatives, creating safe spaces, and targeting perpetrator behaviour. The SWaN and all rounds of the Safer Streets Fund are subject to independent evaluation to assess impact.
This Government has committed £50 million a year to the Safer Streets Fund for the next three years. A fourth round of the Fund launched in March, open to Police and Crime Commissioners, local authorities, the British Transport Police, and eligible civil society organisations. This round focuses on improving the safety of women and girls in public, including in the night-time economy, as well as tackling neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to support local authorities with the provision of interventions to ensure that women feel safe when walking in their local areas at night.
Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)
We are delivering on the people’s priorities to cut crime and make our communities safe. The Safer Streets Fund provides local areas with the resources they need to prevent crime and improve safety in high crime locations across England and Wales. Since 2020, three Rounds of the Fund have completed, worth £70 million in Government investment. These rounds have focused on reducing neighbourhood crimes, such as burglary and robbery, and preventing violence against women and girls in public through interventions such as improved street lighting and home security, as well as education and training initiatives. The Fund has included funding for street pastors and similar guardianship initiatives.
The Safety of Women at Night (SWaN) Fund also ran over the 2021/22 financial year and was focused on improving women’s safety in the night time economy, including through awareness raising initiatives, creating safe spaces, and targeting perpetrator behaviour. The SWaN and all rounds of the Safer Streets Fund are subject to independent evaluation to assess impact.
This Government has committed £50 million a year to the Safer Streets Fund for the next three years. A fourth round of the Fund launched in March, open to Police and Crime Commissioners, local authorities, the British Transport Police, and eligible civil society organisations. This round focuses on improving the safety of women and girls in public, including in the night-time economy, as well as tackling neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour.