“We will be studying the proposals in detail, but I welcome the overall emphasis on personal responsibility and partnership working. A new round of LAAAs (Local Alcohol Action Areas) is welcome, and we will certainly play our part in making them a success.
“Our main area of concern would be around any new powers. We haven’t supported the introduction of Late Night Levies, which is a tax on pubs, so making them easier to introduce is not something we welcome, given the success of partnership working.
“The proposed group review intervention powers are also a concern. There are already sufficient licensing powers and this is a potential departure from decisions being considered on their merits, and on a case-by-case basis – a fundamental principle of the current licensing system.
“We will want to work closely with the Home Office as they develop these proposals further.”