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Licensing Laws

Asked by Grahame MorrisLabourDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 27 October 2025UIN 84190

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of his proposed licensing reforms on local authorities’ ability to refuse harmful alcohol licenses.

Answered by Kate Dearden

The Government is inviting views and evidence to inform the development of a modern, proportionate and enabling licensing system.

The Government is inviting views and evidence to inform the development of a modern, proportionate and enabling licensing system, building on the work of the Licensing Taskforce earlier in the year.

No assessment has yet been made of the impact of any potential reforms on the ability of licensing authorities to refuse licences where they have concerns within the scope of the current licensing regime. The Government, however, intends there to be no reduction in the existing safeguards relating to public safety, prevention of crime and disorder, public nuisance and protection of children.

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